Arsenal's chances of signing Mattia Destro has significantly improved after the AS Roma striker hinted that he is ready move abroad in order to get regular first team football.
The 23-year-old, who is currently way down the pecking order at Roma, with manager Rudi García preferring the likes of Gervinho and Francesco Totti over him to lead the attack, has only made 11 appearances for the Serie A club in all competitions this season.
Due to this reason, Destro is being tipped to leave Roma, with Arsenal, along with Chelsea, reportedly keen on securing his services on the cheap due to him having only 18 months remaining on his current contract.
Although, earlier, Roma's director of football Walter Sabatini had insisted that "a top player" like Destro would not be allowed to leave in January, the Italian striker has added more uncertainty to his future by hinting at a possible move to a club outside Italy.
"Am I like the sixth man in basketball? It's better to be in the first five. I like the comparison, but honestly my ambition is to be among the starters," the former Siena striker was quoted by the Express as saying.
"The only thing that doesn't change is my commitment to give the best in every minute I play.
"At 23, you shouldn't be considered a youngster, but it must be said it's difficult for young players. And there's something that should make us think - if a young player has a certain level of ability they go abroad."
Meanwhile, Arsenal have confirmed that their striker Yaya Sanogo has joined Crystal Palace on loan for the remainder of the season.
Earlier, the Frenchman was being heavily linked with a loan move to Bordeaux, but Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had advised him against moving to France, insisting that the striker would benefit more if he moved to an English Premier League side.
And now the Gunners have announced that the 21-year-old has signed for the Selhurst Park club until the end of the season.
"Yaya Sanogo has joined Crystal Palace on loan for rest of the season," read a statement in the club's official website.
New Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew expressed his delight at having secured the signature of Sanogo, claiming that the France striker is a "young player with tremendous promise."
"He's a young player with tremendous promise," Pardew said. "He is somebody that I have tracked personally and this club has too so that fitted well.
"We have given him an opportunity. He needs to play more games and I think he's ready for that and he proved that at Arsenal. It's tough to get in their team but he's closer to the starting action with us."
