The wife and agent of Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi, Wanda Nara, will reportedly meet with Arsenal representatives in London to discuss a transfer.

That’s according to Calciomercato.com, which suggest that “the Gunners are concretely interested in the former Sampdoria man” and are looking to discover whether Icardi would fancy a move to the Premier League.

It’s noted in the piece that while Icardi recently committed his future to the Nerazzurri, “everything can still happen” in respect of a deal.

The Argentine striker has fashioned a reputation as one of the best natural finishers in European football. Here is a glimpse at the kind of predatory instincts he possesses:

He’s still only 23, and to be handed the club captaincy by manager Roberto Mancini represents a huge show of faith in the forward. After a difficult beginning to the 2015-16 season, Icardi responded in turn late in the campaign with some fine performances.

While he’s technically proficient and clever on the ball, it’s in the penalty area where Icardi comes alive. His movement is slick, allowing him to escape the attentions of opposition defenders and create time to fire shots at goal. The Inter man is strong on either foot too, making him difficult for defenders to cope with.

As OptaPaolo noted, given his age, the striker has a handy goalscoring record to reflect on:

It’s the kind of return Arsenal fans would love to see at the point of their attack, as they’re desperate for a forward to push Olivier Giroud.

Icardi could well be that man if a deal could get done. However, Inter president Erick Thohir previously suggested the striker would cost upwards of £50 million, per James Benge of the London Evening Standard. For a player who still has plenty to learn, that’s a hefty amount to part with.

Arsenal Scout Jonny Evans

According to Simon Jones of the MailOnline, Arsenal sent a scout to run the rule over West Bromwich Albion’s Jonny Evans on Monday.   

The Gunners’ options at the back have been depleted after Per Mertesacker was ruled out for the start of the season. It’s suggested that Evans, formerly of Manchester United, has been considered as an option as manager Arsene Wenger seeks to stiffen up his defensive options.

In the same report, Jones added that Arsenal are considering a £15 million bid for Valencia man Shkodran Mustafi and the player “will ask to speak to Arsenal should they make a serious push for him.”

While not the most glamorous name, Evans has been a steady presence for the Baggies. Bleacher Report’s Rob Blanchette believes he’s an underrated footballer:

In terms of longevity, Mustafi would be a better option for Arsenal. The Valencia man still has improvements to make to his game, but he is already a capable defender. Alongside Laurent Koscielny, he would give the Gunners one of the most dynamic centre-back pairings anywhere in European football.  

Evans wouldn’t quicken the pulse of the Gunners supporters, but he’d be capable of doing a steady job. Should Arsenal opt to make a move for him, the 28-year-old would have to consider it carefully; while he’s the main man at the back for West Brom, at the Emirates, he’d face a real battle to play regular football.

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The wife and agent of Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi, Wanda Nara, will reportedly meet with Arsenal representatives in London to discuss a transfer.

That’s according to Calciomercato.com, which suggest that “the Gunners are concretely interested in the former Sampdoria man” and are looking to discover whether Icardi would fancy a move to the Premier League.

It’s noted in the piece that while Icardi recently committed his future to the Nerazzurri, “everything can still happen” in respect of a deal.

The Argentine striker has fashioned a reputation as one of the best natural finishers in European football. Here is a glimpse at the kind of predatory instincts he possesses:

He’s still only 23, and to be handed the club captaincy by manager Roberto Mancini represents a huge show of faith in the forward. After a difficult beginning to the 2015-16 season, Icardi responded in turn late in the campaign with some fine performances.

While he’s technically proficient and clever on the ball, it’s in the penalty area where Icardi comes alive. His movement is slick, allowing him to escape the attentions of opposition defenders and create time to fire shots at goal. The Inter man is strong on either foot too, making him difficult for defenders to cope with.

As OptaPaolo noted, given his age, the striker has a handy goalscoring record to reflect on:

It’s the kind of return Arsenal fans would love to see at the point of their attack, as they’re desperate for a forward to push Olivier Giroud.

Icardi could well be that man if a deal could get done. However, Inter president Erick Thohir previously suggested the striker would cost upwards of £50 million, per James Benge of the London Evening Standard. For a player who still has plenty to learn, that’s a hefty amount to part with.

Arsenal Scout Jonny Evans

According to Simon Jones of the MailOnline, Arsenal sent a scout to run the rule over West Bromwich Albion’s Jonny Evans on Monday.   

The Gunners’ options at the back have been depleted after Per Mertesacker was ruled out for the start of the season. It’s suggested that Evans, formerly of Manchester United, has been considered as an option as manager Arsene Wenger seeks to stiffen up his defensive options.

In the same report, Jones added that Arsenal are considering a £15 million bid for Valencia man Shkodran Mustafi and the player “will ask to speak to Arsenal should they make a serious push for him.”

While not the most glamorous name, Evans has been a steady presence for the Baggies. Bleacher Report’s Rob Blanchette believes he’s an underrated footballer:

In terms of longevity, Mustafi would be a better option for Arsenal. The Valencia man still has improvements to make to his game, but he is already a capable defender. Alongside Laurent Koscielny, he would give the Gunners one of the most dynamic centre-back pairings anywhere in European football.  

Evans wouldn’t quicken the pulse of the Gunners supporters, but he’d be capable of doing a steady job. Should Arsenal opt to make a move for him, the 28-year-old would have to consider it carefully; while he’s the main man at the back for West Brom, at the Emirates, he’d face a real battle to play regular football.

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It might not have been the 2014 Champions League semifinal, but Wednesday night, Real Madrid defeated Bayern Munich 1-0 from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in the International Champions Cup. 

Defender Danilo provided the lone goal of the match, which came in the 79th minute when he curled home a left-footed shot from the outside of the box into the upper left-hand corner of the goal. 

It was a rare moment of quality, as Americans received a firsthand look at these world soccer superpowers, who have combined for 64 domestic titles and 16 European Cups/Champions League titles.

However, some big names were missing, as the likes of Thomas Muller, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale were still recuperating from their Euro 2016 campaigns.

Their absences left something to be desired on the pitch at MetLife, as chances were few and far between in the first hour of the match. 

The only one of note came in the 25th minute when Munich’s David Alaba’s free kick rang off the post. Munich only had two shots on target all match, which was just as many as Madrid’s total. 

Los Blancos finally increased the pressure in the 59th minute when a brilliant move found Alvaro Morata to the right of goal, but his attempt went wide. 

Just two minutes later, Isco unleashed a right-footed strike that beat Bayern keeper Sven Ulreich but not the left post, as it caromed away from danger. But Madrid managed to feed off that momentum and build it up to Danilo’s winner.

Mariano had a chance to ice the game during the second minute of stoppage time when he was alone to the left of Ulreich’s goal, but the keeper made a brilliant foot save to keep Bayern’s deficit at one.

Fresh off his hat trick against Inter Milan in Charlotte, North Carolina, Bayern Munich’s 21-year-old American center forward Julian Green had a much stiffer test Wednesday night against a Madrid back line that was starting three of its four defenders from the 2016 Champions League Final.

While he did go a full 90 minutes, he was significantly quieter, as he was unable to leave his mark on the match.

Real Madrid closed their ICC with a winning record after losing their opener to Paris Saint-Germain and beating Chelsea. 

They have little time to rest, as they have to go to Spain and meet rivals Sevilla on Tuesday for the UEFA Super Cup.

Bayern Munich, on the other hand, finished their ICC with two losses after a prior defeat to AC Milan in penalties. The Bavarians defeated Inter Milan in their second match of the tournament. 

They will also set their sights on gaining some silverware before the domestic season starts up, as they meet Borussia Dortmund in the DFL-Supercup Final on Aug. 14.

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Lazio winger Antonio Candreva has completed his move to Inter Milan after signing a long-term contract with the club, it’s been confirmed.  

Inter announced the transfer on their official website, with Candreva’s agreement set to keep him at the San Siro until the summer of 2020.

“I am really happy and proud to be here,” Candreva said in the club release. “I always wanted Inter and I’m really excited to become a Nerazzurri player at last. I’d like to thank Lazio for the seasons we spent together and for giving me the chance to realise this dream. I can’t wait to play at San Siro and feel the passion of the Inter fans.”

The Lazio star has spent the past four-and-a-half years at the Stadio Olimpico since joining from Udinese in January 2012 and has risen to become one of the club’s most cherished assets.

Despite a low-profile start to life with Lazio, Candreva’s reputation in Rome has spiked in recent times, scoring 45 goals in 192 total appearances for the club, per Transfermarkt.

Nerazzurri manager Roberto Mancini already has a talented stable of attacking talents at his disposal, with Candreva now set to duel against the likes of Ivan Perisic, Eder, Rodrigo Palacio and Jonathan Biabiany for a spot out wide.

The 29-year-old has also earned 40 caps for Italy since making his debut for the Azzurri in 2009, with 14 of those appearances coming in the past 18 months alone.

Candreva had three years remaining on his Lazio contract before agreeing his move to Inter, and he’ll now look to continue his progress in Serie A after showing huge development in Italy’s top flight of late.

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Lazio winger Antonio Candreva has completed his move to Inter Milan after signing a long-term contract with the club, it’s been confirmed.  

Inter announced the transfer on their official website, with Candreva’s agreement set to keep him at the San Siro until the summer of 2020.

“I am really happy and proud to be here,” Candreva said in the club release. “I always wanted Inter and I’m really excited to become a Nerazzurri player at last. I’d like to thank Lazio for the seasons we spent together and for giving me the chance to realise this dream. I can’t wait to play at San Siro and feel the passion of the Inter fans.”

The Lazio star has spent the past four-and-a-half years at the Stadio Olimpico since joining from Udinese in January 2012 and has risen to become one of the club’s most cherished assets.

Despite a low-profile start to life with Lazio, Candreva’s reputation in Rome has spiked in recent times, scoring 45 goals in 192 total appearances for the club, per Transfermarkt.

Nerazzurri manager Roberto Mancini already has a talented stable of attacking talents at his disposal, with Candreva now set to duel against the likes of Ivan Perisic, Eder, Rodrigo Palacio and Jonathan Biabiany for a spot out wide.

The 29-year-old has also earned 40 caps for Italy since making his debut for the Azzurri in 2009, with 14 of those appearances coming in the past 18 months alone.

Candreva had three years remaining on his Lazio contract before agreeing his move to Inter, and he’ll now look to continue his progress in Serie A after showing huge development in Italy’s top flight of late.

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