Arsenal Transfer News: Aleksandr Kokorin, Nolito Wanted in January Raid Rumours

Arsenal will add firepower to their forward line in the January transfer window, with Aleksandr Kokorin and Nolito two of the favourites to join the Gunners, according to reports. 

The MailOnline's Sami Mokbel said manager Arsene Wenger tried to sign Kokorin on the final day of the summer window, and will revisit the option to buy the Dynamo Moscow striker in the coming months. 

Kokorin is a regular for the Russian national team, representing his country 34 times, scoring nine goals, according to the Express' Uche Amako.

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However, Wenger may face stiffer competition for the services of Spain international Nolito, with Barcelona in the hunt for the Celta Vigo star. 

Barca technical director Roberto Fernandez told Radio Catalunya (h/t FourFourTwo) his club will be reviewing their options in January, and spoke of the forward's consistency: "We would be fine without injuries, but there is no denying that these problems have weakened us. We are looking at the possibility of signing someone, but we must be very calm. The winter market is not easy. Nolito? He is a good player and he is showing it Sunday after Sunday."

Both players would give Arsenal's forward line a boost, but neither are the marquee names that Gunners supporters will be dreaming of acquiring. 

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However, Nolito has just replaced Chelsea's Diego Costa in the international squad as his stock rises in his homeland. 

Striker Kokorin is unproven outside of the Russian league and represents the bigger gamble of the two. The 24-year-old can feature as a classic No. 9, but he also has the diversity to drop into the attacking midfield positions—a variation that will be appreciated by Wenger. 

Nolito certainly isn't a striker, but he has the qualities that Arsenal like in the wider areas. The player was recently voted La Liga's September Player of the Month, per AS:

Nolito has the ability to play in the Premier League, but he is not going to impact the goal count directly.

He would struggle to get into the side ahead of the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott, and his contribution of 13 goals to Celta's league tally last season is certainly not breathtaking. 

Kokorin also has good ability, but he is not the predatory player Arsenal need.

The Gunners have to capture a player in the mould of Karim Benzema if they really have ambitions of winning the Premier League, and succeeding in Europe.