Arsenal: And the dumbest transfer rumor of the summer goes to...

Arsenal are known for being linked to everyone under the sun, but this early in the summer, we already have the dumbest rumor of the bunch.

Arsenal have a penchant for giving players second chances, and of giving players first chances that aren’t good enough to deserve first chances in the first place. As such, it’s always only a matter of time before some really stupid transfer rumors pop up.

Generally speaking, every dumb rumor has at least one redeemable quality, small as it may be. But here we are, not even in June, and we already have the dumbest possible rumor. In fact, it’s so stupid, that I have no qualms dubbing it the dumbest of the summer.

This extraordinary distinction could only ever go to one man – Mario Balotelli. The Italian striker has had a bit of a resurgence at Nice after his prolific younger years were undercut by his raging ego, but to think that there is any chance of him becoming a Gunner is foolishness of the highest order.

Balotelli is rumored to cost £9m, which is £9m more than the Gunners should ever consider spending on him. Granted, there is still a ton of potential under his belt, as he is only 27 and could conceivably still amount to something, but that something will not be with this club.

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Balotelli, of course, has already had his opportunities in England with both Manchester City and Liverpool. At City, he had solid enough returns, but his ego was an unstoppable fiend. I’ll never forget the time he attempted a backheel from about two years out, missed, was promptly subbed off, and punted a water bottle in frustration.

At Liverpool, he utterly failed, and whatever stock he still had in Premier League hopes were utterly dashed. He faded into obscurity, existing only in punchlines and mid-table Ligue 1 squads, and started from scratch.

While I have enjoyed seeing him settle down and make a bit of himself at modest Nice, at no point should that be a viable resources to recommend him as a summer transfer move. Not least of all because he plays the position that the Gunners need the least.

If Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is getting forced into wide positions, then what exactly is the point in bringing in a disruptive striker like Balotelli? It’s a gamble that isn’t needed. I’d rather dig up Chuba Akpom and give him another shot than pay for Balotelli’s services.

Next: 3 Players Who Could Flourish Under Unai Emery

This is a joke, right? Of course it is. No one actually expects the Gunners, or any other major European club, to give Balotelli another chance.

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Arsenal: And the dumbest transfer rumor of the summer goes to…

By Josh Sippie | May 31, 2018

Arsenal are known for being linked to everyone under the sun, but this early in the summer, we already have the dumbest rumor of the bunch.

More from Pain in the Arsenal