Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour has suggested a swap deal for Robin Van Persie and Edin Dzeko might be the best move for both sides.
Van Persie recently indicated his desire to not sign a new contract, forcing Arsenal to look for potential suitors, with the Dutchman's contract set to expire at the end of next season. Manchester City are considered to be the favorites for the 28-year-old's signature, with several reports suggesting a lucrative contract worth £200,000 a week ($311,000) has already been agreed upon.
City are expected to make a bid of around £20 million ($31.1 million), but Parlour suggested a straight swap for Dzeko might be a better idea.
Dzeko had an underwhelming season last year for City after making a big-money move from German side Wolfsburg and is currently fourth-choice behind Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez.
While Roberto Mancini has repeatedly said, Dzeko will not leave, speculation continues to mount that the club are looking to offload the striker, with AC Milan emerging as the frontrunners.
Milan are looking for a new striker, after accepting a huge double bid for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva from Paris St Germain.
While Arsene Wenger remains hopeful of convincing Van Persie to stay and commit his future to the North London club, Parlour told talkSPORT a swap deal will suit both sides the best, if Van Persie insists on a move.
"I don't know what Arsenal will look at, but if (Van Persie) does want to go to Manchester City then maybe they could look at a swap deal with someone like Dzeko and bring him in," he said.
However, the former player admitted that Dzeko's wages could be a problem.
"His wages might be a problem, I don't know what kind of wages Dzeko is on at Manchester City and Arsenal have always had that pay structure that they want to keep to and maybe they have to change that," Parlour said.
"Times are moving on and if you want the best players they go for the best money."
Meanwhile, according to the Daily Mirror, City have become favorites to sign Arsenal target M'baye Niang after the club's administration officer Brian Marwood officially approached the teenager's club Caen, to hold talks about signing the starlet.
Niang underwent a trial at Arsenal last week, and it remains unclear whether Wenger will go ahead and put in an official bid. Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in signing the highly-rated 17-year-old.