Arsenal endure double transfer blow as striker targets close in on other clubs

Mauro Icardi (left) and Ezequiel Lavezzi are both reportedly on Arsene Wenger's radar

ARSENAL will struggle to sign two forward targets in the January transfer window, according to reports.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is expected to spend in the New Year after failing to land a single outfield player over the summer.
His primary target is a defensive midfielder after losing Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin to long-term injuries.
But the boss is also reportedly on the look-out for a striker.

Both Paris Saint-Germain frontman Ezequiel Lavezzi and Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi are thought to be on that list - but Wenger is unlikely to capture either player.
Manchester City have emerged as candidates to sign Icardi, 22, once the transfer window opens in January.
Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport claim that Icardi's consistently poor performances have not gone down well at the San Siro.

City boss Roberto Mancini is heading a strong title challenge and club president Erick Thohir is said to be eyeing the January transfer window as the perfect opportunity to rearrange the squad.
Icardi would cost City roughly £29million, which may be too much for Arsenal, who refused to go in for the player when Inter were seeking £21m for him just six months ago.
Meanwhile, any hope of Arsenal landing Lavezzi, 31, from PSG appears to have been dashed by his agent.

Alejandro Mazzoni was in Italy yesterday to discuss terms with Juventus and Inter over a free transfer come July - although the player wants to play for his former club Napoli.
“The first choice would be a return to Napoli, but - in view of the President’s desire - to see him in Azzurro is not a possibility," Mazzoni said.
“Naples is Lavezzi’s second home, but let’s see what happens in the future. I think he’ll stay at PSG until June, and then we’ll see what to choose.
“At the moment, the two or three teams in Serie A who could get him have a big rivalry with Napoli, and to see him as an opponent wouldn’t be nice for the Napoli fans.”