Agent confirms interest as Arsenal make approach to sign 27-year-old defender

The January transfer window is coming to a close so managers are working hard on strengthening their squads and identifying targets for the summer so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest rumours. Today, Arsenal are linked with Kevin Malcuit…

Arsenal have made an approach to sign Napoli defender Kevin Malcuit as Unai Emery looks to bring in cover for Hector Bellerin before the window closes, according to reports in France via the Metro.

Bellerin has been ruled out for up to nine months after rupturing his cruciate knee ligament during Arsenal’s win over Chelsea earlier this month and it’s left a huge void needing to be filled at right-back.

Stephan Lichtsteiner has been hugely disappointing since arriving on a free transfer from Juventus last summer while Ainsley Maitland-Niles is predominantly a midfielder and it would be foolish to rely on the youngster during the second half of the season.

Emery has confirmed he’s in the market for reinforcements during the closing days of the winter window and the Metro are citing a report from France Football that claims Arsenal have now make contact with Napoli to enquire about signing Malcuit.

The report suggests that Emery has made signing the 27-year-old a priority before the end of the month and has given the green light for Arsenal bosses to make an offer to sign the Frenchman.

Malcuit’s agent has now confirmed an approach has been made by a London club and hinted that Arsenal were the interested party but insists the player is content in Naples.

The full-backs agents is quoted by CalcioMercato as telling Radio CRC:

‘Interest? I can confirm that there is a London club who is looking for a right-back. They have interest in him but Kevin is happy at Napoli and he is doing well. Arsenal? Yes it could be them but I won’t say so…’.

Malcuit only joined Napoli from Lille last summer but he’s struggled to secure regular first team football as he’s battling Nikola Maksimovic and Elseid Hysaj for the right-back spot so a short-term loan could suit all parties.

READ–> Arsenal transfer news

We’ll have to wait and see how things develop over the coming days but time is running out so Arsenal will need to act fast if we want to strengthen our squad before the window shuts on Thursday night.