Arsene Wenger is preparing an audacious player-plus-cash move for striker Mauro Icardi. Luca Pessina of La Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Monday morning that Arsenal could splash £29million and also throw their first-choice striker Olivier Giroud at Inter Milan to secure the services of their skipper.

The 23-year-old striker has been linked with a move away from San Siro for some time now, with his wife and agent, Wanda Nara, desperately attempting to engineer an improved contract all summer. Suning Commerce Group, who took over Inter in June, are eager to retain the services of their captain as they eye at Champions League qualification next season. However, a player-plush-cash deal involving France’s first-choice centre-forward striker may convince the Italian club to sanction the transfer.

Arsenal are reportedly monitoring Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez, according to Spanish media (via the Telegraph). Spanish publication Marca even reported recently that an unnamed club had launched a £71milion bid for the Colombian attacking midfielder.

Zinedine Zidane has been told by the Estadio Bernabeu head honchos that he has to offload a few players before making new additions to the roster. Apparently, he is ready to part ways with Rodriguez to fund the transfer of David Alaba.

Wolfsburg on Thursday evening issued a statement to rubbish former Arsenal target Julian Draxler’s claims after the player went public over his desire to move to a bigger club this summer.

The 22-year-old winger moved to Volkswagen Arena last summer but recently, in an interview with German publication Bild, said that he had reached an agreement with Wolfsburg to depart the club any time if “top international clubs” came calling. However, the Bundesliga club rubbished his claims, stating no such verbal or written commitments were made at the time of his transfer. They proceeded to claim that he would be allowed to leave next summer if his release clause (£62million) were met.

Arsenal have begun talks with Valencia and Shkodran Mustafi over a summer transfer, Sky Sports reports.

The Gunners are on the lookout for centre-backs to stand in Per Mertesacker, who is pencilled in to spend at least five months on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury in the 1-1 draw with Lens. Many names, including Semih Kaya and Kalidou Koulibaly, have been murmured.

Claudio Ranieri branded Arsenal target Riyad Mahrez as Leicester City’s only champion during an interview with ESPN, in a desperate attempt to keep the alleged wantaway midfielder at King Power Stadium next season.

The 25-year-old midfielder has been linked with an Emirates Stadium switch all summer. The rumours have picked up more momentum, with reports suggesting the Leicester head honchos met in Los Angeles to discuss the player’s future. In addition, English tabloid Metro validated the links as they pointed out his absence in Leicester’s team picture.