Genoa coach Alberto Gilardino is keen on signing Inter Milan striker Marko Arnautovic, but the club’s directors are lukewarm.
This according to today’s print edition of Genoa-based newspaper Il Secolo XIX, via FCInterNews. They report on the Grifone’s recent links with the Austrian – potentially as part of a deal for Albert Gudmundsson.
In recent days, links have come up between Arnautovic and Genoa.
These have been part of a broader web of potential transfers.
At the heart of it is the fact that forward Albert Gudmundsson is pushing to leave Genoa. The Icelander wants a move to a bigger club.
Fiorentina are currently the club pushing the hardest for Gudmundsson’s signature.
However, Inter are also long-term admirers of the former AZ Alkmaar forward.
And the Nerazzurri could have an ace in the hole. They are ready to make a last-ditch bid for Gudmundsson involving striker Arnautovic.
This could be key because of the fact that Genoa have already sold striker Mateo Retegui. The Italian international joined Atalanta earlier this month.
The sale of Retegui has made Genoa particularly reluctant to sell another regular starter in attack from last season like Gudmundsson.
Genoa Coach Gilardino Keen On Inter Striker Arnautovic – Directors Less Keen
Arnautovic is certainly a striker who would bring a similar profile to Retegui.
The 35-year-old former West Ham United and Bologna striker is capable of providing a strong physical presence in attack.
That is a priority for Grifone coach Gilardino after Retegui’s departure.
According to Il Secolo XIX, Gilardino’s top target would be Juventus striker Arkadiusz Milik.
However, the newspaper report, the Grifone coach would also be more than happy to bring an experienced centre-forward like Arnautovic in.
But the senior management of Genoa see things differently.
The Ligurian club are hoping to sign younger players rather than a stopgap solution.
Therefore, Genoa are wary of the fact that Arnautovic is 35 years of age, and would only really reinforce the team for a season or two.
