Arsenal are ready to swoop for Napoli’s Marek Hamsik, reports CaughtOffside.com.
The Gunners are desperate to find a playmaker capable of filling the shoes of the departed Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri and have identified Hamsik as the person to do so. The 24-year-old was instrumental in Napoli’s surprise third place finishn Serie A last year, scoring 11 goals from midfield. However, it was his almost telepathic understanding with striker Edinson Cavani that was particularly impressive and Arsene Wenger wants him to replicate that relationship with Robin van Persie at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners have been tracking the Slovakia national team captain for some time though with funds previously tight and the club awash with attacking midfielders, no move ever materialised. Manchester United were reportedly interested in the player last autumn and had a tentative enquiry rebuffed by the Italians but Arsenal are prepared to test their resolve.
Sunday’s 8-2 mauling at Old Trafford has made evident the need for fresh faces and Wenger is now prepared to spend some of the £67m received this summer for Fabregas, Nasri and Gael Clichy with £25m set aside for Hamsik. With Napoli having qualified for the group stages of the Champions League they will be reluctant to sell especially having been drawn in the group of death alongside Bayern Munich, Villarreal and Manchester City and Arsenal may have to increase their offer to land the player.
COMMENTS