Italians to Raid Arsenal for Olivier Giroud as Luis Suarez Saga Continues - Report

Napoli have targeted Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, after failing to sign FC Porto star Jackson Martinez. The Serie A club are believed to want a second option up front, after having spent a reported £34.5m, according to the BBC, on former Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain.

The Express believes the Stadio San Paolo club will join Spanish side Valencia on the list of admirers, with a £15m bid mooted. However, it remains to be seen if Arsene Wenger is willing to release his star striker, particularly since the capture of Liverpool talisman Luis Suarez remains a dream.

Colombian international Jackson Martinez is understood to be Napoli's preferred target. However, according to Goal.com, the Portuguese champions will not settle for anything below £34.8m, which is the 26-year-old forward's release fee. Porto have already lost two star players in Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez this summer (both moved to Ligue 1 club AS Monaco) and coach Paulo Fonseca is clearly anxious not to lose any more.

It is believed Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis is unwilling to spend another small fortune on a striker and thinks the Gunner's front man could be a cheaper alternative. The Naples club do have considerable transfer funds in reserve though, having received a record £55m, according to the Mail Online, for Uruguayan Edinson Cavani, who moved to Ligue 1 champions Paris St Germain (PSG).

Giroud only joined the north London side last year and did not have the greatest of debut seasons in the Premier League. The 26-year-old scored 11 times from 24 league starts and only 17 overall. And if Wenger can persuade the Reds to release Suarez, the Frenchman may find first team football impossible, particularly with Lukas Podolski, Theo Walcott and new signing Yaya Sanogo waiting in the wings.

For his part, the Frenchman is eager to play alongside Suarez and has welcomed his potential arrival.

"The club has to show the fans that we want it [the signing of Suarez]. Me and my team mates, we need it as well. It's all about the team. It will be a really positive thing if we have a new striker. I am not worried but I will wait until September so we know the team, the players. I never used to read the newspapers and I don't want to change my way of life but I have heard a lot of things and I know we need a striker," the French international said.