Arteta turns to PSG star who snubbed Tottenham but Inter lurk for Arsenal target
Arsenal are reportedly keen to sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Leandro Paredes this summer but face stiff competition from Italian giants Inter Milan.
The Gunners have enjoyed and up-and-down campaign, with a poor start to the season that saw them lose their first three games. They rebounded with an eight-game unbeaten streak before losing three of four in late November – early December. Another superb run saw Mikel Arteta’s side cruise into the top four.
They were favourites to land a Champions League berth until another dip in form. The north Londoners have now lost three of four top-flight games, with defeat to Crystal Palace and Brighton particularly damaging.
They still have time to right the wrongs but Tottenham now hold the aces for a top-four finish. Antonio Conte’s men are three points ahead having played one more game.
Whatever happens between now and May 22, the Emirates outfit will look to bring in quality in the off-season. Qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition would help attract the bigger names from Europe.
And it seems as though Paredes will be available, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The Argentina international has one year left on his current deal at Parc des Princes.
He is available for around £12m, meaning the price tag will not be an issue. Arsenal are known to be in the market for a striker this summer but it is thought they will also target a midfielder.
Inter monitoring Paredes situation
Inter are likely to be able to offer the South American Champions League football next term. The Nerazzurri are second in the Serie A standings, two points behind AC Milan and with a game in hand.
Napoli have also taken 66 points while Juventus are four points behind. It looks to be a three-horse race for the Scudetto and Inter will hope to defend the title they won in 2020-2021.
Joining the Italian champions would be a big draw for Paredes and he does have experience of Italian football. The 27-year-old spent time on loan with Chievo, Empoli and Roma while also signing permanent terms in the capital.
He has become a peripheral player at PSG, with only 10 starts among 15 Ligue 1 appearances this season. The former Boca Juniors ace has been seen in the Champions League but Mauricio Pochettino has generally preferred others in the league.
With 44 Argentina caps to his name, there is no question that Paredes still has the talent to operate at the highest level.
He is said to have rejected the chance to join Tottenham in January, preferring to fight for his Paris place. That has not worked out as hoped and a summer exit is on the cards.
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