Arsenal are in the hunt to sign one of Serie A’s brightest talents, and they hope to add Napoli star Lorenzo Insigne to their squad.  

Italian media outlet Calciomercato (h/t George Bellshaw of Metro) claim the Gunners are “ready to seal the transfer” of the attacker, who has been hugely influential for the Naples club this year.

The Italy international has been directly involved in 12 goals in 15 appearances, scoring seven and providing five assists for the Partenopei in 2015-16, according to Bellshaw.

Calciomercato said manager Arsene Wenger will bid for the player in the summer after “carefully monitoring” Insigne in recent months.

Transfermarkt (h/t Bellshaw) rate the forward at £14 million, but if his great form continues in the months ahead, the figure is sure to rocket. 

Insigne has pace to burn, and he can provide service on the left of the attack or through the middle. His skill set mirrors Alexis Sanchez, and the player could be considered a replacement for the Chile superstar if interest from Real Madrid comes to fruition, per Spanish outlet Don Balon (h/t James Phillips of the Daily Star).

The 24-year-old is a youthful talent, but he is at a good age to confidently make the move to a bigger club, if given the opportunity of a switch to the Premier League.

The Guardian’s Paolo Bandini recently lauded the diminutive maestro, as Napoli crushed AC Milan at the San Siro in October:

And then came Lorenzo Insigne. One might easily imagine Napoli’s featherweight fantasista to be older, given that he is married, father to two children and has been playing regularly in the top flight for four years, but he only celebrated his 24th birthday this past summer.

He had already shone through Napoli’s first six league games of this season, scoring against Juventus, Lazio and Empoli. At San Siro on Sunday he was even better, the man of the match in a 4-0 rout of Milan.

There is a craving from certain quarters to see Wenger buy a world-class striker, but Insigne fits the mould of a typical Arsenal attacker.

His movement and skill would let him seamlessly slip into life at the Emirates Stadium, and he would provide guaranteed entertainment for Gunners fans with his style of play.

Arsenal are also watching Porto future superstar Ruben Neves, and they have sent scouts to watch the teenager in the Primeira Liga.

Max Miller of Metro reported it is the third time Wenger has watched the defensive midfielder, and suggestions of a possible £22 million bid have been made.

Football writer Jan Hagen also confirmed Arsenal’s attendance to run the rule over Neves:

Spanish outlet Fichajes (h/t Miller) also claim Wenger is eyeing Inter Milan loan player Marcelo Brozovic, who is owned by Dinamo Zagreb.

The Nerazzurri are yet to agree to a permanent deal for the midfielder—despite having the first option—potentially opening the door for the Gunners if they fail to move.

All three talents would strengthen core areas of Arsenal’s squad, but none of them are the famed striker fans of the club want to see in their shirt.

Insigne has been in the Italian top flight for a few years, but he is very similar to the players the club already possess. If Sanchez remains at Arsenal, the Italian might struggle to feature. 

Neves would be a shrewd capture because Arsenal are desperate to add a defensive midfielder with a sure skill set.

The teenager appears destined to become one of Europe’s most prized talents, and he will generate incredible interest if he is still available next summer. 

Wenger should move for Neves in January and develop the burgeoning talent under his wing. 

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