With the summer transfer window already in some people’s minds, a surprise transfer link has emerged: Michael Carrick to Arsenal?

According to reports, Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger is interested in the deep-playing midfielder, who would be available for nothing in the summer as his contract is set to expire.

An experienced and intelligent player, Carrick plays as the deepest midfielder when available and is very intelligent with the way he uses the ball, similar to current Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard hasn’t started a Premier League this season and is set to leave Arsenal at the end of the season when his own contract ends.

At 34, Carrick is a year older than Arteta but has managed to start 34 Premier League games already this season so it could be argued he has left his injury troubles behind him. Arsène Wenger is known to be a fan of the England international, chasing him in the past before moves to Tottenham and Old Trafford, but has never managed to get his hands on him.

It would be very odd to see Wenger sign a player of such age, especially to replace Arteta, though the boss may be looking to replace the experience that Arteta has and the calmness he can bring to the side. Mathieu Flamini and Tomas Rosicky are also set to leave in the summer, so the Arsenal midfield could do with an older head or two.

Maybe Carrick is too old and there’s nothing in it, perhaps this is being spun by his agent as he looks to find a new deal at Old Trafford or interest from elsewhere, but it seems an interesting rumour to me.