Arsenal Deal Edges Closer After Agent Agrees €36m Sale

As we approach the opening of the summer window clubs will be intensifying their efforts in the transfer market so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Gooner Mac brings us the latest on Arsenal’s pursuit of Mario Balotelli.

Arsenal’s proposed move for Mario Ballotelli appears to have taken a huge step closer with reports claiming that AC Milan have agreed to sell the striker for €36million.

Balotelli has emerged as our top target this summer with speculation suggesting Arsene Wenger wants the Italian hitman to come to Arsenal this summer and offer competition to Olivier Giroud next season.

Recent newspaper reports claim we have already held initial negotiations with AC Milan and chief contract fixer Richard Law is understood to have drawn up a mammoth contract worth £180,000-a-week to try and lure the striker to the Emirates.

In a new development, the Metro are citing reports from Sky Italia that claim Balotelli’s agent Mino Raiola met with AC Milan officials yesterday where it was agreed the 23-year-old would be sold for €36m (£29m).

As has been previously reported, the newspaper suggests that Milan are keen to get the Italians wages off their books while Balotelli is also understood to be keen to leave Serie A after receiving racial abuse last season.

Obviously until something official comes out from the club, we should take any newspaper reports with a pinch of salt, but there does seem to be something in this Balotelli-to-Arsenal story. Press in both England and Italy appear in agreement over several aspects and the key points seem to be that Wenger wants him, AC Milan are happy to sell and Balotelli wants to leave with the Premier League believed to be his preferred destination.

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The supposed asking price of £29m appears good value for a player of Balotelli’s quality and it’s easy to forget he’s just 23, so he has his best years ahead of him and I think he’s got the potential to improve vastly under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger.

However, nothing is going to happen until after the World Cup – although Italy could be joining England in heading for an early exit following their shock loss to Costa Rica last night, so we might be able to tie this deal up sooner than expected.