Arsenal are apparently making a move for Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani, as Arsene Wenger is eager to bring in one more striker before the transfer window slams shut next Monday.
The Gunners have been rocked by a bad injury to French striker Olivier Giroud, who is expected to be out for several months after reportedly fracturing his ankle. Cavani may be the Gunners’ main target but the likes of Loic Remy, Radamel Falcao and Danny Welbeck have all been linked with a move to the Emirates.
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Wenger is expected to be without a recognized forward until January 2015 at the earliest, as Arsenal are worried about deploying new $60 million signing Alexis Sanchez in the lone forward role after his struggled in that unorthodox position against Everton on Saturday.
Various reports in England, from the Daily Mirror, Daily Express and Daily Star have Cavani heading to the Emirates in a $82 million move before next Monday, as they scramble for a top class forward to help them on their way. This deal hinges, of course, on the Gunners getting past Besiktas in their Champions League play-0ff on Wednesday, as the expected $100 million windfall they’d get for making the UCL group stages can be spent on Cavani right away.
Cavani’s career at Paris Saint-Germain hasn’t gone exactly as he would have expected following his $90 million move from Napoli last summer. Despite being shunted out to the wing as Zlatan Ibrahimovic plays the role as the lone forward, Cavanis still scored 25 goals in his debuts season for Les Parisiens.
However with rumors circling about Karem Benzema possibly joining PSG from Real Madrid, could the stars align to allow Cavani a move to North London? Other options include Remy from QPR, Falcao from Monaco and Welbeck from Manchester United but it seems as though Cavani is the number one target.
The Uruguayan, known as El Matador, will be the main forward at Arsenal and his physical style of play will suit the Premier League superbly. The 27-year-old is ready to step up and be the main man for a top club in Europe and with the rest of the Gunners side looking in good shape, their only issue is up top.
If Wenger pulls this deal off, it would cap off a huge summer of spending at the Emirates with over $175 million dished out to bolster the Gunners’ squad. If they are serious about being title challenge this campaign and not just battling for a top four spot, they need a central striker of the highest caliber, especially in Giroud’s absence.
Cavani’s arrival would send a huge message out to the rest of the PL: Arsenal aren’t here to mess around anymore. They’re here to win the damn thing.