Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed the club’s interest in Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
Speculation over the defender’s future at the Emirates Stadium has been growing for the past few weeks with the 32-year-old failing to make a Premier League appearance since the restart of the league in June.
Sky Sports claim that Napoli are hoping to negotiate a move for the player that would not involve a transfer fee, and Arsenal may be willing to do business after the arrival of Gabriel Magalhaes and the return of William Saliba.
Speaking to journalists , De Laurentiis said that the club were working hard to get a deal done.
“We’re working to get Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Arsenal, we’re considering him as an option,” he said.
The president also confirmed that they are willing to part ways with defender Kalidou Kolibaly, further explaining their interest in Sokratis.
“Koulibaly? I’m ready to sell him if some club will submit the right bid,” he added.
Sokratis has just one year remaining on his contract at the Emirates Stadium, meaning that Arsenal are keen to sell this summer
However, as revealed by football.london , the player intends to see out his contract at the club before leaving for nothing next season.
Having fallen out of favour under Mikel Arteta adding in the arrival of Magalhaes, it is not likely that the defender will see much action in the upcoming season.
Should they reach an agreement with Arsenal, the lure of game time with Napoli could see the player change his mind which would fit with Arteta's transfer plans this summer.
