Arsenal renew their interest for midfield veteran
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He may be 35 by the time next season gets underway, but Michael Carrick is set to be the recipient of plenty of attention this summer, and Arsenal are seemingly one of many admirers.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for Manchester United’s calming influence for much of 2016, but speculation has renewed this week with Arsene Wenger ramping up his options for next season.
A host of midfield men are set to depart the Emirates this season, with Mikel Arteta, Tomas Rosicky and Mathieu Flamini preparing to say their Arsenal farewells.
Out-of-contract Carrick marks a very straight forward and obvious replacement for the trio, even in his twilight years, but Wenger faces a battle to persuade the England international on wearing an Arsenal shirt next term.
Both Everton and West Ham are also reportedly in the hunt for the Wallsend man, and both can offer Carrick things Arsenal cannot.
The Toffees offer Carrick geographical ease and stability, while West Ham would see him return to the club who handed him his first-team chance way back in 1999.
Arsenal’s trump card however is likely to be Champions League football, while West Ham hold only a slim hope of claiming a place in next season’s competition, and Everton have no chance.
Signing Carrick won’t be the deal to quieten the naysayers in the red half of north London, but Arsenal have lacked that experienced and holding player this term, with the aforementioned trio all suffering lengthy spells out injured.
Wenger is no stranger to sign elder players, with 33-year-old Petr Cech arriving last summer, and 31-year-old Kim Kallstrom also having short spell with the Gunners two years ago.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
