Marek Hamsik Move Encouraged by Agent as Gonzalo Higuain Arsenal Rumours Grow

Arsenal have turned their attention firmly toward Naples this winter, as latest speculation links the Gunners with moves for Napoli pair Marek Hamsik and Gonzalo Higuain.

Playmaking ace Hamsik has been associated with a Stadio San Paolo exit for some years, but agent Mino Raiola now suggests the Slovakian is finally ready to take his talents elsewhere, per Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express:

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Marek is a great person, an amazing human. He has a great personality and as a player he is very close to Pavel Nedved. 

If he leaves Napoli, he would be able to play for any team in the world. If I had to recommend a player, it would be Hamsik.

The problem is that [Napoli owner] Dino De Laurentiis does not want to sell him. I am convinced that Hamsik is not taking advantage of his full talents. He has the ability to be one of the best footballers in the world.

"

Hamsik has featured as one of Napoli's brightest performers in recent years and is the last remaining member of the "Holy Trinity" that Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi—both now at Paris Saint-Germain—once made up.

According to Squawka, the 27-year-old has crafted 41 scoring chances in 18 Serie A appearances this season, more than any other Napoli player and second-highest in the Italian top flight overall.

Marco Vasini/Associated Press

Chapman mentions that Hamsik would boast a price tag of £20 million if he were to leave Naples, but Rafa Benitez may not be keen on the idea of losing such a vital player midway through the 2014-15 campaign.

Bleacher Report's James McNicholas recently discussed the notion of Arsene Wenger adding other star midfielders to his squad this winter, with Barcelona's Sergio Busquets among those mentioned:

After pulling in the transfer of defender Gabriel Paulista and budding midfield anchor Krystian Bielik, Wenger has more freedom to address the other areas in his squad.

At first glance, creative midfield isn't an area in which the north Londoners are exactly struggling for depth, though, with Mesut Ozil recently returning from injury to help the likes of Santi Cazorla, Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Salvatore Laporta/Associated Press

Recruitment up front might therefore make more sense, with a move for Higuain said to be on the cards as Napoli begin to prepare for the Argentinian's departure.

Ben Jefferson of the Express reports that Porto hitman Jackson Martinez is being eyed as a potential replacement for the summer. He quotes the Colombian's agent, Henrique Pompeo, as telling AreaNapoli.it: 

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His desire is clear: he wants to play in Serie A. 

He has his heart set on Italy and if he were to leave Porto then Serie A would be his first choice. 

It is very unlikely Porto would let him leave in January, because they still need him for the Champions League and to chase Benfica in the table, so consequently Martinez will only move at the end of the season.

He’d be happy at Napoli because we are talking about a very special club, but he’d be happy with Roma, Milan or Juventus too. They are all great teams.

"

Higuain is another player with long-held ties to the Emirates Stadium, currently second to Carlos Tevez in the Serie A scoring ranks with 12 goals to his name this season.

David Amoyal of GianlucaDiMarzio.com even goes so far as to hail the former Real Madrid forward as one of the top six players among Italy's elite:

Napoli currently sit third in the Serie A standings, but are 13 points off league leaders Juventus and six points away from second-place Roma.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Johnson hints that the South American could leave Naples if the club fail to qualify for the Champions League:

Olivier Giroud received backup in attack thanks to last summer's purchase of Welbeck, but following the Englishman's stuttering form in north London, a more elite brand of striker may be sought.

Should Napoli loosen their grip on Higuain's talents, Arsenal may be one of the first teams queuing up for a shot at his services, being alleged as pursuing his signature so fervently in the past.