Atletico Madrid are preparing a swap deal involving Mario Suarez and Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi.
Chelsea and Liverpool were linked with Icardi, but would have preferred to wait until the summer with £30m bids.
But Atletico may get the jump on the Premier League duo with the swap offer, of player plus cash.
Atletico are looking for a striker to complement Fernando Torres, and Icardi is the man they are looking for, with 11 goals this season.
Any deal for Icardi would have an impact on Arsenal’s transfer dealings this month.
Arsene Wenger was looking for a long-term replacement for Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini, and Suarez is top of his list.
Steve Osborne @Pack3rNa7ion