Arsenal have eyes for Del Piero as Podolski move stutters
Published:Following Lukas Podolski’s candid comments this week that have cast a £10million move to Arsenal in doubt, reports from Italy are suggesting that Arsene Wenger has diverted his attention to departing Juventus hero Alessandro Del Piero.
Although many news outlets, including the BBC, had previously reported that Podolski’s summer move to the Emirates had been all-but sealed, the German international was this week quoted as saying that he was keen on reuniting with international colleague Miroslav Klose at Lazio.
His comments suggest that Arsene Wenger is still some way to completing any potential deal, which has prompted the Arsenal boss to look elsewhere for possible alternatives.
One such name to crop up is Del Piero, who at 37-years-old is now well past his world-beating prime, but could yet offer something to a squad so rejuvenated this winter by the return of another striker in the twilight of his career, Thierry Henry.
Henry scored three times in six appearances for Arsenal, and provided able assistance to a team so often reliant on main man Robin Van Persie.
With Marouane Chamakh, Park Chu-Young and Gervinho continually underwhelming in their task to share the goalscoring burden, Wenger is keen to bolster his attacking options and Del Piero would offer a short term, cut-price option.
Del Piero’s contract runs its course after 19 years in Turin this summer, with the Serie A title contenders already confirming that he will not be offered an extension, having failed to score in 15 appearances this campaign.
Should Wenger pursue the World Cup winner’s signature, he’ll be certain to face competition from fellow Premier League clubs and abroad – with Paris Saint-German notable names in the frame.
