Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has reportedly made Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi a prime target as he looks to bolster his striking options this January.

Wenger‘s need for another striker is exacerbated by loan interest in talented youngster Alex Iwobi, while Premier League rivals Chelsea have already moved to try to beat Arsenal to Nigerian hotshot Kelechi Nwakali.

In this context, Icardi remains a likely target during the winter transfer window. In fact, unnamed reports from Italy (h/t the Daily Telegraph) stated that the Gunners will bid for Icardi in January.

Yet those same reports stress how Icardi‘s form has dipped since last season: “Without the armband, the Argentine struck 27 goals in 48 games during the last campaign, however, he is still trying to rediscover his sparking form with the added responsibilities.”

Icardi has hit four league goals in 11 Serie A matches this season, according to WhoScored.com. But despite his lukewarm start to the new campaign, Inter apparently remain committed to the gifted 22-year-old:

And earlier this week, Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio said the Italians would not entertain any offers for Icardi.

Ausilio claimed the forward is not available for any price and when asked what his response would be if Arsenal came calling, he said: ‘I’d hang up.’

Wenger‘s need for a striker is too great to heed the Inter board’s warning, though. The Frenchman is already counting the cost of injuries to Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck. Joel Campbell’s failure to develop hasn’t helped fill the void.

Without the pace Walcott and Welbeck offer, the Gunners have become one-dimensional up front. Ex-Montpellier target man Olivier Giroud is gamely attempting to carry the load, but his lack of pace and varied movement has reduced the fluent vibrancy of Arsenal’s attacking play.

Wenger needs to add another goalscorer this winter if he’s going to keep his banged-up squad in this season’s title race. Until then, Giroud will be overworked; he may not even be able to count on a promising fringe player to help him out.

Championship Teams Queuing Up for Iwobi Loan

If Birmingham City or Reading have their way, 19-year-old Iwobi will spend a portion of this season plying his trade in the Championship. Both teams are keen on the teenage attacker, according to Alex Harris of the Daily Star, who stated that the Royals have even been scouting Iwobi ahead of potentially sealing a temporary switch.

Reading are taking the more proactive measures, but a move to Birmingham may intrigue Wenger more. After all, free-scoring midfielder Jon Toral is already on loan with City. Even a young Nicklas Bendtner spent time on loan at Birmingham during the formative stages of his ill-fated Arsenal career.

Wenger knows his loan charges will get playing time at St. Andrew’s, and Iwobi needs the minutes. He struggled to impose himself in a rare start during Arsenal’s 3-0 Capital One Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday. On the night, Wenger chided Iwobi and his other young guns as “not ready to play at this level,” via Goal‘s Matthew Sherry.

A loan move is just what Iwobi needs, based on those remarks.

Chelsea Trying to Win Nwakali Race

Chelsea are apparently getting serious about signing budding teenage star Nwakali. The player’s agent confirmed the Blues as one of the teams with which he’s in contact, according to All Nigeria Soccer (h/t Metro‘s Sean Kearns).

The agent also made it clear signing his client won’t be cheap: “We are in contact with Chelsea, Udinese and Olympiakos. Udinese made a ridiculous offer of €800,000 for the Most Valuable Player of the FIFA Under 17 World Cup.”

Nwakali‘s representative has also stated that he’s made contact with the Gunners but has “received no feedback yet.”

Arsenal’s reported reticence is somewhat surprising. Wenger has a strong history of giving African players a chance. He discovered George Weah while at AS Monaco and brought Kolo Toure to Arsenal.

Yet while Wenger has always indulged in taking punts on the promise of youth, his current needs are more immediately pressing. A talented youngster like Nwakali would struggle to fill the void in attack that the title-chasing squad is trying to overcome.

This is one time when Wenger would be wise to skew potential in favour of more established options.

Wenger has to make recruiting a striker his winter transfer priority. Walcott is just too brittle to be counted on, Giroud is inconsistent and even a fit-again Welbeck is goal-shy.

The Gunners need more options up front, or their title challenge will falter sooner rather than later this season.

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Liverpool have reportedly moved ahead of Premier League rivals Chelsea in the race to sign Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi.

The Argentinian was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer, but the transfer never materialised, per Simon Johnson in the Evening Standard.

It is now being reported that the Reds are the front-runners to sign Icardi and are prepared to table a €35 million (£24.5 million) bid for the Inter captain, per Italian outlet Tuttosport (via Sport Witness).

The report adds that Liverpool could be prepared to raise their bid to €45 million (£31.6 million) if Icardi starts scoring at the same regularity as he did last season.

The 22-year-old netted 22 Serie A goals in 2014-15 but has managed only four in 11 appearances in the new campaign, per WhoScored.com.

Icardi was even recently dropped by Inter manager Roberto Mancini for a key Serie A clash against Roma.

Icardi’s current contract with Inter runs to 2019, but it seems Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp may be interested in shelling out a significant transfer fee to take him to Anfield.

The Reds have depth in their attacking line, but a long-term injury to Danny Ings and regular fitness problems with Christian Benteke and Daniel Sturridge have indicated that they may yet need further additions.

Icardi is undoubtedly a talent, and his Serie A scoring record is very respectable for a player still with much improving to do, per Opta:

Klopp has the coaching acumen to turn Icardi—something of a rough diamond—into a top-class striker, but he may not be worth gambling on considering his inconsistent form.

The German manager is slowly but surely making a difference at Liverpool and engineered an emphatic 4-1 win away at Manchester City on Saturday with Benteke and Sturridge both left on the bench. 

If Klopp truly believes Icardi can be a key part of his rebuild at Anfield, then he should go in for him, but he must be sure if Liverpool are to shell out over £20 million.

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Liverpool‘s Brazilian wizard Philippe Coutinho could be out of action after suffering a hamstring injury in the Reds’ 4-1 victory over Manchester City on Saturday, per Ian Doyle of the Liverpool Echo.

Continue for updates.

Coutinho to Have Scan on Injured Hamstring

Saturday, Nov. 21

“It was a little bit of cramp. He felt something,” said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, per Doyle. “I hope that’s all it was because everybody can see that he’s very important to us. He’s in really good shape in this moment and I hope we could react early enough.”

Coutinho has developed into one of the Anfield club’s primary talents since his bargain move from Inter Milan in January, 2013, and his loss will be felt by Klopp. 

After the departures of Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling, the Brazil international is the team’s central creative force in the Premier League.

Coutinho has five goals and three assists in 15 league and European appearances this term, according to WhoScored.com.

At former club Borussia Dortmund, new Anfield coach Klopp relied heavily on Shinji Kagawa to feed the striker, and Coutinho shares many of the Japanese player’s traits.

Klopp may have to wait until he can further run the rule over the talented attacking midfielder’s fitness.

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Inter Milan have confirmed they were interested in landing reported Liverpool and Arsenal target Ezequiel Lavezzi in the previous transfer window.

That’s according to the Nerazzuri’s sporting director Piero Ausilio, who told Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t talkSPORT) the Serie A giants sought to make a move for the Argentina international, but they were unable to match his ambitions when it came to competing for the top honours in European football:

This summer, we tried to sign him [Lavezzi].

We were looking for an attacker, but we finally went for Adem Ljajic. There was little chance to sign Lavezzi, he wanted to play Champions League football. It was a very expensive-looking transfer, we will see what will happen.

According to talkSPORT, Liverpool, Arsenal, Juventus and Barcelona have also been keeping tabs on the Paris Saint-Germain forward. Here’s what he is capable of offering at his best:

Although the 30-year-old is past his peak, there’s no denying he’d be a useful acquisition. Lavezzi is still an exciting forward, a willing worker and a player who possesses the quality to make a decisive impression in the final third. They’re traits the Reds could certainly do with after a stuttering start to the campaign.

As we can see here courtesy of OptaJoe, Jurgen Klopp’s side are profligate when chances do materialise:

Lavezzi could have a big decision to make in January. So far he’s only made three league appearances for PSG this season, and it’s clear that regular opportunities are not going to come around often. A transfer to any of the quartet of aforementioned sides would surely appeal to the forward too.

The Argentina star wouldn’t be a regular starter for Arsenal, Juventus or Barcelona. But for the Reds, his experience and quality could immediately enrich an XI that is lacking in a direct edge and composure in front of goal. However, if Lavezzi rejected Inter because they couldn’t offer Champions League football, he’ll likely do the same should the Reds come calling.

Philippe Coutinho Advised Roberto Firmino to Join Reds

Liverpool’s capture of Roberto Firmino was one of the most exciting transfers of the summer window, and it seems as though Reds star midfielder Philippe Coutinho played a key role in getting his compatriot to Merseyside.

Speaking to Sky Sports (h/t Alex Harris of the Daily Star), Coutinho revealed he told the former Hoffenheim man while away on international duty that he had to join the Reds:

I don’t know if I had any influence on his arrival, but I gave him loads of incentive when I knew there was a possibility [of Firmino joining]. I was in the national team with him and I told him: ‘You have to join.’ The truth is, he’s a great player and I’m happy he is here. I am happy to be playing alongside these good players.

As I always say being part of the national team in Brazil is a privilege and it is so hard to stay in the team because there are loads of players that are in Europe. 

The Liverpool supporters were excited about the prospect of their two samba stars linking up at Anfield, but as of yet, it’s a dynamic that has yet to flourish. Firmino has endured a difficult beginning to his time at the club, finding it tough to adjust to the pace of the Premier League and suffering with some injury issues.

Coutinho, after a strong start, was followed by some tepid showings, though he seems to be finding his best form again under the tutelage of Klopp, scoring three in his last two games. As the Liverpool Twitter account notes here, both men have been fine-tuning their sharpness in front of goal during the international break:

For Klopp, getting the best out of these two excellent players will be a challenge. Both prefer to play in a central role behind the striker, meaning one has been shunted out wide when they’ve both been in the team in recent weeks; alternatively, Firmino has also been played as the most advanced striker.

Coutinho has done well coming in off the left-hand side previously, and that’d allow Firmino, who is still getting acquainted with the Premier League’s bespoke style, the chance to have a prolonged run in his preferred position. At this juncture, that’s the best way for the Reds to get the best from their big-money summer acquisition.

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Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has revealed he rejected the chance to join Chelsea earlier in his playing career.

Speaking with the Daily Telegraph (h/t James Whaling of the Daily Mirror) the Croatia international claimed the Blues made an offer for him when he was just a 16-year-old. Now 27 and playing a vital role at the heart of a brilliant Blaugrana side, the former Sevilla man insisted he was happy with the decision he made:

It was important for me to do it step by step. First of all to arrive in the first-team in Switzerland because I had, at 16 years of age, a big offer to go to Chelsea. And another offer from Juventus. At that time, when I was 15, 16, I decided it was important to have my family. It might not have been the best decision for everyone but it was the right one for me.

It was important for me to say ‘the money is there but the money will come with time, also.’ There was another player like me and he went and today he is playing in the fourth division in Switzerland.

For Rakitic, it would have been an enormous step. Born in Switzerland, he spent the majority of his youth career with FC Basel before eventually breaking into the first-team and signing for Schalke 04 in 2007. From there he went to Sevilla, where some tremendous performances caught Barcelona’s eye. In his first season with Barcelona, Rakitic helped the Catalan giants to the treble.

As noted here by Squawka Football, the 27-year-old is beginning to get a little more confidence in front of goal for the Blaugrana too:

Chelsea would certainly love to have him in the squad now. Midfielders Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas have really struggled to make an impact this term, while someone with Rakitic’s dynamism, intelligence and ability on the ball would certainly aid the Blues.

Nevertheless, given Chelsea’s poor record when it comes to developing young players, it’s certainly up for debate as to whether the Barcelona man would have eventually scaled similar heights. His career path, although not initially spectacular, sets a fine example for those youngsters who chase too much too early and get swallowed up at an elite club.

Blues Leading Jonathan Calleri Race

A young player who may have to make a similar kind of decision is Boca Juniors’ Jonathan Calleri, with Sky Italia (h/t talkSPORT) suggesting Chelsea are favourites to sign the impressive forward.

Inter Milan and Stoke City are also noted as interested parties, but it’s suggested the Blues are the most likely side to sign him, with manager Jose Mourinho said to be keen on adding to his options at the point of the attack in January. Here’s a look at what Calleri is capable of:

Some attacking impetus would certainly aid the Blues’ cause for the second half of the season. So far, Diego Costa has failed to replicate his goalscoring feats from the previous campaign, Loic Remy hasn’t had much of a sniff and Radamel Falcao continues to look nothing like his former self. As we can see here courtesy of Sky Sports News HQ, goalscoring has been a big problem:

Calleri certainly has the capabilities to aid in that sense, having netted 21 goals for Boca last season, per talkSPORT. The Premier League would be a big step up, but the 22-year-old seems to have the hunger and the talent to make himself a hit in English football, should a transfer materialise.

Still, it’d be a big risk making the move to Chelsea. Should Costa regain form, it’s tough to see Calleri getting many minutes in the first-team. Making a jaunt to Europe is a major commitment for South American players, and the last thing the Boca man needs during what would be a testing period is to be sat on the substitutes bench.

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Liverpool have been dealt a heavy blow in the chase for reported transfer target Domenico Berardi, who seems destined to move to Juventus at the end of the season.

Berardi‘s agent, Simone Seghedoni, confirmed the Bianconeri have a “verbal agreement” with Sassuolo for a move in June while ruling out a January move. In an interview with Calciomercato (h/t Football Italia), Seghedoni said:

Juventus have a verbal agreement with Sassuolo for June.

That’s still a long way away though, and we’re not thinking about it at the moment. Domenico will not go to Juventus in January, I can categorically rule out leaving in the next transfer window.

He will not move until June, in line with a program devised along with the club. Domenico is only thinking about continuing his growth with Sassuolo and Coach [Eusebio] Di Francesco.

Juventus agreed to sell their half of Berardi‘s rights to Sassuolo during the summer, but they maintained a buy-back clause that activates at the end of the season. Per David Wright of the Daily Express, Liverpool were planning on making their move in January, before the Bianconeri have the chance to bring him back.

It’s easy to see why the Reds would want to sneak in and steal Berardi from under Juventus‘ nose. The forward is one of the top young prospects in European football and has been putting up some absurd statistics since making his Serie A debut. Per Squawka Dave, he’s been nothing short of spectacular:

Berardi mainly plays as a right winger, but he has the versatility to play as an attacking midfielder or second striker as well. Blessed with pace, vision and the ability to finish chances, he already ranks among Italy’s top forwards.

Juventus‘ decision to let him move to Sassuolo may seem curious, but at the time, the Bianconeri had to find a solution to their co-ownership problem and wanted the 21-year-old to continue his development. Here’s what he’s been doing with the Neroverdi:

An extended stay with Sassuolo made sense, ensuring Berardi would continue seeing lots of playing time in preparation for his big move to Turin.

Per David Amoyal, a translator for Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, that move was far from a guarantee, however:

There was every reason to believe Berardi may not have been too keen on a move to Turin, as the youngster was more than happy to stay with Sassuolo in the past. But judging by these latest comments from his agent, that was all part of the plan, and his long-awaited move to Juventus will become a reality next summer.

This transfer saga is far from over, however. Just because Sassuolo say they won’t sell in January doesn’t mean the Reds can’t tempt them with a tantalising offer. The Neroverdi and Juventus have a strong relationship, and it’s highly unlikely they’d go back on their verbal agreement, but Liverpool may as well try to convince them otherwise.

Riccardo Saponara Rumours Persist

Manager Jurgen Klopp reportedly has his eye on another Italian prospect, as Empoli‘s attacking midfielder Riccardo Saponara continues to be mentioned as a potential transfer target, per the Independent‘s Tom Sheen.

The 23-year-old has started the 2015-16 campaign on fire, scoring four goals and adding four assists in nine Serie A matches, per WhoScored.com. Per FourFourTwo‘s Adam Digby, it’s hardly a surprise:

Saponara‘s story is an odd one. The midfielder moved from Empoli to Milan in 2013 and was widely regarded as one of Milan’s top young stars. The Rossoneri were going through a period of turmoil, however, and like most of his fellow youngsters, Saponara barely got a chance in Milan.

He moved back to Empoli on loan, but Milan made the mistake of inserting a clause into the contract, allowing Milan to make the move permanent. Per Beyond the Pitch‘s Anto, it’s a decision fans of the Rossoneri shake their head at to this day:

Saponara is a superb talent who seems ready to make his mark at a bigger club, and a move after Euro 2016 seems likely. Once again, the Reds face competition from Juventus, who are in desperate need for another attacking midfielder, per Calciomercato‘s Lorenzo Bettoni.

The Bianconeri need a replacement for Hernanes, who has been a massive flop since joining from Inter Milan. Saponara would be a perfect fit, and given Juve’s need, they’re expected to push hard for his signature next summer.

Liverpool won’t be as aggressive, as Saponara is perhaps too similar a player to Philippe Coutinho. Like the Brazilian, he needs to have the ball at his feet to be successful, and he and Coutinho may not be able to coexist in Klopp‘s counter-attacking system.

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Pablo Osvaldo could make a surprising return to Juventus in the coming weeks, according to new reports. But the Serie A champions would be better off without their former forward, who brings more trouble with him than success on the pitch.

The rumour originates in Portugal, where the 29-year-old Osvaldo is currently on the books with Porto. According to A Bola (h/t Football Italia), Osvaldo could “rescind” his contract with the Primeira Liga side and rejoin Juventus following his 2014 loan spell in Turin:

The Bianconeri may reinforce their attack this winter with a former player of theirs, albeit one known for his short temper.

According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Osvaldo may rescind his contract with Porto in the near future, leaving him as a free agent.

This would allow Juventus to pick him up for free if they believe Coach Max Allegri can handle the player.

The final sentence is the key one. Signing Osvaldo could give Juventus depth in the attack as the Bianconeri chase honours on multiple fronts. After their awful start to the season, Allegri’s men currently sit seventh in the Serie A table, nine points behind leaders Fiorentina.

In Europe, Juventus are in position to advance to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League. Through four of six matches, the Bianconeri trail Group D leaders Manchester City by one point. Sevilla are five points behind in third place.

With fixtures set to pile up in the new year, a veteran like Osvaldo could be a valuable addition to the squad. With Porto this season, the 29-year-old has scored once in six league appearances (five as a substitute). He has played just four minutes in the Champions League (h/t WhoScored.com).

If he were another player, Osvaldo’s experience would serve as an asset to Allegri. However, the forward’s past makes a move less appealing.

Last February, his loan spell with Inter Milan ended early after reports of “bust-ups” with team-mates, per FourFourTwo. In January of 2014, Southampton suspended Osvaldo for two weeks following a fight with team-mate Jose Fonte on the training ground (h/t BBC Sport).

That same season, the Italian forward drew a three-match ban for his role in a touchline incident during a game with Newcastle (h/t Nick Purewal of the Independent). Southampton terminated his contract this past summer.

For the Guardian, Jacob Steinberg wrote the following of Osvaldo in 2014:

There will always be people who are confident enough to think they will be the one to tame the bad boy.

Mauricio Pochettino thought he was The One. He was convinced that he could keep Dani Osvaldo under control at Southampton. After all, Pochettino knew what made the volatile striker tick, having worked with Osvaldo at Espanyol.

How misguided that conviction has turned out to be, though.

“This is something nobody expects. It is completely unpredictable. In light of that, there is no explanation I can give,” Mauricio Pochettino, who was then Southampton’s manager, said of the Newcastle incident, per Alex Crook of the Daily Mirror. “More than anything, Dani needs to feel he has let himself down—everyone has to take responsibility for their actions. We need to focus on what is best for this club.”

If Juventus really are considering a move to bring the striker back to Turin, the club’s directors ought to consider Pochettino‘s words.

Though Osvaldo might still be capable of helping the club, his presence in the dressing room would represent a risk to the team.

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