Mauro Icardi's agent in London to hold talks with Arsenal

Arsene Wenger has intensified his search for a striker with Mauro Icardi's agent Wanda Nara said to be in London for talks with Arsenal. The Gunners have been linked with the Argentine in recent weeks, but Inter Milan are reluctant to let their captain leave this summer.

According to Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, the Argentine striker's wife, who also acts as his agent, is in London offering his services to the Emirates Stadium outfit. The 23-year-old forward, however, is currently with the Serie A club on their pre-season tour of the United States and captained the side to a 2-1 win over Salt Lake City in their opening encounter.

Wenger has made it clear that he will sign a forward before the start of the new season and missed on a move for Jamie Vardy earlier in the summer after the England international agreed a new deal to remain at Leicester City. The north London club have been linked with moves for other strikers, mainly Alvaro Morata and Gonzalo Higuain, but the duo are unlikely to join as Real Madrid are keen to keep the former at the Santiago Bernabeu, while the latter is valued by Napoli at €94m (£78.8, $104m).

Icardi has three more years remaining on his current deal with Inter, and the club hierarchy has made it clear that they are not looking to sell their skipper. Nara, however, has confirmed interest for her client from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, while indicating that Icardi is also open to remaining at the San Siro if they offer him a new improved deal.

Corriere dello Sport understands that Arsenal are willing to offer the striker around €6m per season, but will have to pay Inter upwards of £40m to convince them to allow the striker to make the switch to the Premier League.