Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Bendtner for Mexes Swap Sounds Too Good to Be True

If I told you that Arsenal could get rid of a player it was already planning on moving this offseason in exchange for landing a French international defender who might bolster an oft-shaky back line, you would probably tell me the whole thing sounded too good to be true.

And that's precisely why I think the rumors that the Gunners might swap Nicklas Bendtner for AC Milan's Philippe Mexes are probably just that. But this is the transfer window, so a bit of logic won't prevent those rumors from persisting.

From the Mirror:

The Italian press are reportedly suggesting that Arsenal are in talks to land a shock swap deal with AC Milan–trading Nicklas Bendtner for France defender Philippe Mexes.

The 30-year-old Mexes has reportedly had parting of the ways with Milan, and has been training on his lonesome after quitting the club's pre-season tour of the USA to be with his pregnant wife.

Sports newspaper Corriere dello Sport claims that the 'bust-up' has been the driving force behind the swap talks with Arsenal.

Mexes has played well at the international level and has a lot of technical skill and experience—and a familiarity with more than a few players on Arsenal's French-friendly squad—so the move would make sense for Arsenal.

And at this point, anything facilitating Bendtner's departure might be a welcome addition.

Not surprisingly, Bendtner's transfer hasn't been without its rough patches, as the Danish striker has apparently turned down several offers already. He won't be coming back to Arsenal, but it would appear his departure will be as rocky as his tenure at the club.

But this deal isn't so one-sided it couldn't benefit AC Milan. They get rid of defender who clearly doesn't want to be around and bring in a young, temporary replacement at striker for the departed Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Who knows, maybe Bendtner even finds the form that he's flashed for his country but has often eluded him at the club level, becoming a mainstay at AC Milan. Crazier things have happened, after all.

At least I think they have.

Still, Arsenal isn't going to bring back Bendtner one way or another, so adding another defender who has shown excellent form at times is too good to be true for them. Maybe it happens, maybe it doesn't, but this one seems too crazy for me to think it would actually happen.

And that's why the transfer periods in the summer and January are so much fun. We get to imagine, speculate and scoff. 

I think I'm doing all three with this rumor.

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets are gold like the Team USA women.