Arsenal and AC Milan are considering a player-swap deal involving Gunners' Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner and the Italian club's French centre back Philippe Mexes, according to the Daily Mirror. The report states Milan are desperate to sign an international-class forward, after Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic left the club for French side Paris St Germain (PSG) earlier in the summer. The Serie A club are understood to be keen on Bendtner and are willing to trade Mexes to land the Dane.

Philippe Mexes
Mexes could sign for Arsenal Reuters

The French defender reportedly clashed with Rossoneri management during pre-season, raising questions regarding his future at the San Siro. The 30 year old moved to Milan from Roma last season.

Nicklas Bendtner
Bendtner will leave Arsenal this summer Reuters

Bendtner had an impressive 2012 European Championships, scoring twice in the group game against Portugal and a solid league season before that. He spent the 2011/12 camapign on loan at Sunderland, for whom he made 28 league appearances and contributed eight goals and five assists. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has admitted the striker will leave the Emirates, following the signing of attacking trio of Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla.

Podolski Needs Two Weeks to be Ready

Meanwhile, German forward Podolski has indicated he feels he needs another couple of weeks to be 100 percent ready for the new season. The 27 year old former Bayern Munich striker scored a brace on his Arsenal debut, in a game against former club FC Koln. Arsenal routed the German club 4-0. The game was part of the transfer terms that saw Podolski leave the RheinEnergieStadion for a £11m fee.

"First match and first goals. I was very surprised by the reaction of the Arsenal fans. I heard them chanting my name and it was crazy. I have felt part of Arsenal from the first day, to score in my first match was great. I need another two weeks to be fully ready," The Sun quoted the former Bayern Munich star as saying.

Portugal Germany