Arsenal
Arsenal Table £15m Defender Bid But Chelsea & Man Utd Also Keen
Arsenal have submitted an opening £15m bid for Napoli full-back Elseid Hysaj but could yet face stiff competition from Chelsea and Man Utd for his signature
The opening of the summer transfer window is fast approaching so we’ll bring you all the latest transfer rumours and gossip from around the globe. Today, Arsenal make their move for Elseid Hysaj…
Arsenal have submitted an opening £15m bid for Napoli full-back Elseid Hysaj but could yet face stiff competition from Chelsea and Manchester United for his signature this summer, according to the Daily Star.
Hysaj came through the youth ranks at Empoli and only joined Napoli last summer but has forged a reputation as one of the best full-backs in Italian football after an excellent debut season at the Stadio San Paolo.
The Albanian international was virtually ever-present to help Maurizio Sarri’s men finish second in the Serie A table behind eventual champions Juventus and ensure they’ll be playing Champions League football again next season.
The 22-year-old’s impressive form has attracted interest from the Premier League with the Daily Star claiming that Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have all been showing a keen interest in the player this summer.
However, it looks as though the Gunners have now stolen a march on their domestic rivals with the newspaper reporting that Arsene Wenger has now tested Napoli’s resolve with a formal £15m (€19m) offer.
The Frenchman is on the look out for another defender with Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers and Kieran Gibbs all tipped to leave the Emirates this summer and Hysaj appears to have emerged as a prime target as while he’s predominantly a right-back, he’s also capable of playing at left-back so his versatility is exactly what Wenger is looking for.
The Daily Star don’t give any indication as to whether Napoli will accept Arsenal’s offer but the North Londoners will be hoping to get a deal wrapped-up swiftly before the likes of Chelsea or United step-up their interest with offers of their own.
Incoming Blues boss Antonio Conte is expected to be active in the market as he looks to rebuild the Chelsea squad and Hysaj would be a long-term replacement for the ageing Branislav Ivanovic while he’d also be able to provide cover for Cesar Azpilicueta at left-back.
Jose Mourinho is also likely to be busy this summer revamping the squad he’s inherited from Louis van Gaal and the Portuguese coach could certainly do with a reliable right-back as it became something of a problem area for United last season.
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We’ll have to wait and see whether either Chelsea or United decide to formalise their interest in Hysaj but as it stands Arsenal appear to be in pole position to secure a deal if Napoli decide to cash-in this summer.
