Arsenal Transfer News: Mattia Destro and Marek Hamsik Would Reignite Title Bid

Arsenal are set to raid Serie A in the January transfer window and launch audacious raids for two of the Italian league's most attractive attackers: Mattia Destro and Marek Hamsik.

Alex Harris of the Daily Star reports Arsene Wenger is set to splash the cash in the next few weeks, with the Roma forward and Napoli midfielder on his wanted list. Harris says Arsenal will have to part with £50 million to grab the pair but will release Joel Campbell and Lukas Podolski to make way for the highly desirable individuals.

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But Wenger's biggest task will be to get the clubs to part with their most precious talent, with Roma director of sport Walter Sabatini commenting recently that Destro would not leave the capital city, per Harris: "We're happy with the roster we have, but we're always monitoring. Destro is off the market as far as we are concerned; we consider him a top player, and therefore he won't leave."

And Harris also quotes Hamsik's agent Juraj Venglos, who when asked about the player's immediate plans said: "The future? I prefer not to talk about that."

The 23-year-old Destro—who has also been linked with Chelsea, per Matt Law of The Telegraph—has spent much of his recent career on the bench but is viewed as an excellent finisher, able to play across the front line in a variety of positions.

The Italian has managed to make seven starts for Roma in Serie A this term, scoring four goals, per WhoScored.com.

Despite his lack of appearances, he is a burgeoning talent and has the makings of a prolific goalscorer, though his passing is a weakness, and he may find Arsenal's fluid interchange from midfield to attack difficult. But when on the field, Destro has shown good levels of chemistry with his team-mates—especially former Arsenal man, Gervinho.

News anchor Ben Kitili recently highlighted this when Roma faced off against Manchester City in the Champions League:

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Hamsik has been one of Italy's biggest attractions for many years, with the Slovak player now in his eighth season with Napoli. Hamsik is a predatory attacking midfielder and at 6'0" would give Wenger a different type of player in the centre without compromising ball retention. 

There is a feeling that Hamsik now needs a new challenge, and at 27 years old he is ready for a shot at the Premier League. His form has dipped in Serie A, and he looks like a player who needs a fresh opportunity.

Both of these players have points to prove, and the Emirates seems the perfect place for them to find their best form.

Arsenal do indeed need to address their defence—as most of the teams under Chelsea in the Premier League need to do—but there are areas of the park that are less obvious but still vital concerns.

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Destro is a young player with a big future, and if Wenger can add him to his squad it would be a very wise purchase. He would complement current Arsenal strikers Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud and would link well with Alexis Sanchez.

Goals win games, and Destro would help improve the Gunners' chances of collecting three points on a weekly basis. He has a more clinical finish than Welbeck in the penalty area and has the variation in his game that makes him a very dangerous prospect.

Hamsik is your typical Arsenal player but with added muscle. The Gunners do not have a midfielder like Hamsik who can dictate play but also provide added leadership—he is currently Slovakia's and Napoli's captain.

The combined price of £50 million may seem steep, but in the modern game transfer fees for impact players have exploded. If Wenger can attain these two individuals he will have a squad that can push on and get their title challenge back on course.

Both players would not only add goals immediately but would also be building blocks for Arsenal's future success.