Arsenal have expressed interest in taking Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick to the Emirates Stadium this summer, according to The Daily Star.
The report also states that Arsenal aren’t the only interested club, as Everton, West Ham and Stoke City are also keen on the 34-year-old, who could still opt to stay at United if Louis Van Gaal leaves the club. Carrick, whose contract expires at the end of next month, is yet to renew his contract, which makes his departure the most likely scenario at this moment in time.
Before the start of Tuesday night’s final league game of the season against Bournemouth, Carrick was accompanied onto the pitch by his two children, which could be perceived as yet another hint towards his summer exit. Carrick isn’t the first United player to do it – Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra also took their children onto the pitch before their last games at Old Trafford two years ago.
If the club chooses not to offer him a new deal or Carrick decides it’s time to move on, he’d prove a good signing for any team in the league. He can’t play two games per week anymore, but still offers invaluable experience and hasn’t regressed much as his playing style has never depended on energy and pace.
Arsenal are losing two experienced midfielders in Tomáš Rosický and Mikel Arteta this summer. Signing Carrick would allow Arsene Wenger to add this essential experience back to his midfield and he wouldn’t even have to pay a transfer fee.
