Arsenal transfer news: Gunners prepare January move for Inter Milan forward Mauro Icardi

Argentina international has failed to capture his goalscoring touch after notching 22 Serie A goals last season

Arsenal had a reported £32 million bid for the striker rejected during the summer (Getty Images)

Arsenal are preparing a January move for out-of-sorts Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi, according to reports in Italy.

The 22-year-old was named Inter captain after notching 22 league goals last season, but has failed to recapture his scoring touch despite Robert Mancini’s side sitting top of Serie A.

The former Manchester City manager dropped the Argentina international for the Nerazzurri’s recent 1-0 victory against title rivals Roma.

Arsenal had a reported £32 million bid for the striker rejected during the summer, but according to Tuttosport the Gunners are ready to make another offer in January as Arsene Wenger seeks to bolster his goalscoring options.

Arsenal are without Danny Welbeck, expected to miss the rest of 2015 with a knee injury, while Theo Walcott will miss tonight's Champions League clash with Dinamo Zagreb.

Olivier Giroud has led the line effectively this season with seven goals in 13 Premier League appearances, but Wenger will be keen to increase his depth with Arsenal sitting just two points off the top of the Premier League table.

Inter’s sporting director Piero Ausilio claimed earlier this week that Icardi, who signed a four-year contract at the start of the season, is not available for any price, saying he would “hang up” if Arsenal made an approach.

However, with Liverpool and Chelsea also preparing to pounce, a big-money offer could tempt the Italian giants to part ways with their skipper.