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Arsenal transfer rumours: Rob Holding and Mauro Icardi to the Emirates?

Mauro Icardi of Inter celebrates after scoring a goal against Empoli
Image: Mauro Icardi of Inter is featured in the Football Whispers list for Friday

Which are the most credible Arsenal transfer rumours right now?

Sky Sports has teamed up with Football Whispers to bring you the hottest transfer talk of the moment, as Arsene Wenger looks to improve his squad ahead of the upcoming Premier League season.

Football Whispers have developed a unique algorithm to take all of the transfer rumours from across the globe and calculate the likelihood of them happening.

They track transfer stories and give them a score out of 5.0, with the hottest Whispers closest to 5.0.

The top three are:

1. Rob Holding (Bolton) - 4.7

BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - MAY 16:  Rob Holding of England U21 during the England U21 Training Session and Press Conference at St Georges Park on May 16,
Image: Reports suggest Arsenal have had a bid of £2m accepted by Bolton for Rob Holding

Arsenal are closing in on the transfer of Bolton Wanderers defender Rob Holding, according to reports.

The 20-year-old reportedly travelled to London on Monday for a medical and to finalise personal terms after a bid in the region of £2m was accepted by Bolton.

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Holding, an England U21 international, has played only 30 times for Bolton and could be Wenger's third signing of the summer.

2. Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan) - 4.6

Mauro Icardi, attaccante argentino dell'Inter
Image: Mauro Icardi is a reported £46m target for Arsenal

Inter Milan striker Icardi has been regularly linked with a move to the Emirates this summer with Arsene Wenger desperately looking to add a striker to their squad.

Speculation increased on Wednesday with Icardi's wife and agent Wanda reportedly in London to open negotiations with the Gunners over a possible deal to bring her client to north London.

The Argentina international scored 16 goals in 33 Serie A appearances last season

3. Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli) - 3.9

Gonzalo Higuain of Napoli celebrates the opening goal
Image: Gonzalo Higuain has a release clause of £78.5m which Arsenal would need to meet

It's no secret Wenger is on the lookout to boost his strike force this summer and the latest name being heavily linked with a move to north London is that of Higuain, who returns to the Football Whispers top three.

But the Arsenal hierarchy will have to dig deep, as Napoli will not sell the striker for anything less than his £78.5m release clause, according to Sky sources.

Three years after missing out on him, could he finally be coming to the Premier League? Watch this space...

Hottest Arsenal whispers - Friday, July 22

Player Club FW rating (out of 5)
Rob Holding Bolton 4.7
Mauro Icardi Inter Milan 4.6
Gonzalo Higuain Napoli 3.9
Arda Turan Barcelona 3.6
Alexandre Lacazette Lyon 3.2
Bruno Peres Torino 3.6
Gonzalo Higuain Napoli 3.2
Clinton N'Jie Marseille 2.8
Bruno Peres Torino 2.5
Matthias Ginter Borussia Dortmund 2.5
Julian Draxler Wolfsburg 2.3
Riyad Mahrez Leicester City 2.1
Carlos Bacca AC Milan 1.2
Jason Denayer Manchester City 1.2
Moussa Sissoko Newcastle 1.1

Don't forget to follow the most up-to-date information around the clock with the Sky Sports Transfer Centre

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