Arsenal are preparing for a busy January transfer window ahead and plans for the same are already in place. Two highly-rated La Liga players as well as a Russia international have been identified as key targets for the Gunners.
Sergi Samper
Barcelona youngster Sergi Samper, who is yet to make an appearance for the Catalan giants this season, is reported by the Spanish media to be accepting a move to the Emirates. According to Fichajes, the defensive midfielder could follow the footsteps of Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique -- who left the La Masia academy to join other clubs, in the past.
The 20-year-old, who has a contract until the summer of 2017, has a buyout clause of around £8.5million, and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is reportedly considering activating that clause.
Samper is also looking forward to boosting his career and is keen on getting more playing time, and that is the reason he is mulling over a move away from the Camp Nou, and could be set for the Premier League if Arsenal go ahead with launching a bid for him.
The midfielder made three appearances in the Copa del Rey last season and also played for the Barcelona senior side during the Champions League. In his career so far, he has made 81 appearances for the Barcelona B side, and also has six assists.
Nolito
Arsenal have been heavily criticised after failing to land up any striker in the summer transfer window, and the Gunners board seems to have taken note of it. Although the performance of the North London side this season -- when it comes to scoring goals -- has not been that bad, the presence of a competition upfront is something that is missing.
Now, Arsenal have reportedly targeted two more strikers to provide more competition to Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott, upfront. Wenger reportedly has his eyes on Celta Vigo star Nolito as well as Dynamo Moscow striker Aleksandr Kokorin.
According to reports, scouts from Arsenal have kept a close eye on Nolito, who has scored five times from seven appearances in the La Liga this season. The 28-year-old Spaniard, who has a £13million release clause, has a contract with the Spanish outfit until the summer of 2019.
The former La Liga winner with Barcelona also scored and assisted 13 times each from 36 appearances in the Spanish league last season.
Aleksandr Kokorin
Russia international Kokorin was a transfer target for the Gunners, and if reports are to be believed, Arsenal tried to sign the striker on the transfer deadline day, but to no avail.
However, Wenger has reportedly set his eyes on the Dynamo veteran once more, who has scored 48 times from 198 appearances for the Russian club in his career so far. Kokorin's current contract runs until next summer.
