Arsenal Transfers: 3 January Reinforcements For Gunners Forward Line

3. Alessio Cerci

Italian wingers are something of a novelty, but Cerci has been getting rave reviews at the less glamorous of Turin's two top flight teams. Comfortable out wide or in a support striker role, he has scored eight Serie A goals this term so far. Only a rejuvenated Giuseppe Rossi has more. According to the Daily Star, Arsenal are ready to battle Manchester United for Cerci €“ rated at £16 million €“ in January. Torino's city rivals Juventus are interested too, although it's difficult to see where the player would fit into the 3-5-2 wingback system favoured by Antonio Conte. Cerci would be another left footer to add to Gunners ranks alongside the likes of Jack Wilshere, Lukas Podolski, Giroud and special ambidextrous talents Tomas Rosicky, Ozil and Santi Cazorla. It's David Moyes's Red Devils that are short on options, but 26-year-old Cerci will want to add to his eight international caps and cement a place in the Azzurri World Cup squad. Cesare Prandelli, shameless pragmatist that he is, enjoys having an unorthodox option in Italian ranks. Given the great form of Arsenal's narrow midfield it is difficult to make a case for an injection of new width, especially as Walcott and Podolski are expected back in action soon.
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Jamie Clark is a qualified Web Journalist after undergoing professional training at the University of Sheffield. A prolific and accredited sports writer, he also enjoys classic comedy, historic fiction, 80s music and heritage.