This season Arsenal are expected to go for a marquee striker, something they missed last season and because of which they faltered at the end. While the rumour mills are pretty busy linking Arsenal to a number of renowned strikers. Arsene Wenger is reportedly scouting another young player who can bolster his already strong midfield.
Lorenzo Insigne has been one of the brightest prospects for Napoli in an otherwise inconsistent season. The 23 year old Italian player was an integral part of Rafa Benitez’s team and did his bit to impress everyone amongst other senior and much publicized stars. This has supposedly caught the attention of the French manager and now Wenger is interested to secure his services, and is willing to make a £17million bid, if Insigne impresses at the World Cup.
Having started his career in the youth ranks of Napoli Insigne slowly graduated to make his debut for the first team in the 2009-10 season. Soon he was sent on loan to second division sides where he spent substantial amounts of time before coming back to Naples in the 2012-13 season. After that he has always been in the mix of things, although there were competition for places in the squad.
Under Rafa, he has played 36 times in the Serie A this season and certainly has become an important member of the side. The highlight of the season for him was the brace that he scored in the final of the Coppa Italia against Fiorentina, helping his side to win the tie 3-1 eventually. His impressive displays last season also secured him a place in the 30 man provisional squad for World Cup squad of Italy.
Primarily a left winger, Insigne can play equally well on the right side of the pitch and add up to be a second striker in times of needs. He is known for his flair and his pace. His technical ability and passing are astute and he has been dubbed as the Italian Messi by his Napoli teammate Pandev.
Now coming to the stats of this season, Insigne has had an impressive season. He has scored 3 goals from the 36 league matches and considering that he has not been on the field for more than 50% for almost half of the games, the less goals can be justified.
But in the limited time he has made 59 chances for his team mates and among them 6 have been converted by others into the goal. He has made 53 key passes and made 82% of his passes successfully. Being short in stature, the physical aspect of the game in England can be a problem for him and the 40% duels that he won last term, should be improved if he is to make a mark for Arsenal. Insigne also has the tendency to drop back and help the team in the defence and he has done that twice on an average in every match.
It will be difficult for Arsenal to lure the Italian to the Emirates, given the stature he enjoys in Napoli, but if the veteran manager can do it, then it will certainly help the team in the long run.
However, his agent claims that Insigne feels honoured to be linked with Arsenal. Reported by the ESPN, his agent Otaiano claimed,
“We take into account the praising reports that [Arsene] Wenger has given about the player, We are honoured that a club like Arsenal could have Lorenzo on their wish list.
“However, from here to take it to the next level, that is a possible transfer, there is a huge mountain in between named ‘Napoli’.
Stats via squawka