Arsenal could be set to swoop for two Atlético Madrid players now that their bid for Edinson Cavani looks to be faltering.
The Gunners will go toe-to-toe with Napoli for the signature of Mario Suarez, assuming they can make room with the sale of Gokhan Inler. Napoli’s pursuit of Suarez is said to hinge on the outcome of their interest in Ignacio Camacho of Málaga with Benítez preferring the man from Málaga but fearing that they may lose his services to Serie A rivals Inter Milan.
The air of uncertainty over Napoli’s interest in Suarez may give Arsenal the edge, but any deal for Atlético’s star defensive midfielder is still a while away from being completed. Diego Simeone’s recruitment of Cani from Villareal as a short term replacement has indicated that Los Rojiblancos may be preparing for the departure of Suarez.
Arsenal do not intend to stop with Suarez either. Now that the deal for Edinson Cavani looks less likely given PSG’s demands for £60m and Wenger’s well documented reluctance to spend big on one player it is thought that the Gunners will target Mario Mandzukic.
The former Bayern centre forward has not been able to replicate the form he showed in Germany and may feel that his physical style of play is better suited to the Premier League.
Despite having four strikers on his books – even with the departure of Lukas Podolski and imminent temporary exit of Joel Campbell – Wenger remains keen to add a proven finisher to his squad.
Robert Middleton:@robmid4
