Arsenal are set to miss out on the signing of left-back Faouzi Ghoulam, who will not be allowed to leave Napoli this summer.
The Algeria international has been heavily linked with a move away from the San Paolo this summer, with the Gunners understood to be keen admirers of the attacking full-back.
According to the Metro, Arsene Wenger has been keeping tabs on the North African with a view to bringing him to the Emirates Stadium this summer; the French coach is understood to have already made a £7.7 million bid for the player.
Le 10 Sport note that Paris Saint-Germain might have considered the player as a potential replacement for Lucas Digne, while Atletico Madrid—who lost first-choice left-back Filipe Luis to Chelsea last summer—have also been considering Ghoulam as a potential long-term replacement for the Brazilian.
However, all three sides will need to look elsewhere should they remain keen to reinforce their left-back position, with Cristiano Giuntoli, Napoli’s sporting director, confirming that the player would not be leaving the club.
“Ghoulam will stay at Napoli next season and will not be leaving the club,” he began, speaking to Buteur [via Le 10 Sport].
“He figures in our plans and at no moment have we decided to offload him,” he continued, “I can assure you all that he will 100 percent stay at Napoli next season.”
The administrator also denied reports that either Atleti or Arsenal had bid for the player.
“According to some sources, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid have already formulated official offers to sign Ghoulam,” he went on.
“Napoli have recived no offer from either Arsenal nor Atletico, of course, there are clubs interest in him, but not more than that.
“As soon as we receive an offer, we will take care to study it,” he concluded, potentially leaving the door open for a departure.
Missing out on Ghoulam will not be the first left-back disappointment Wenger will have suffered this summer, after another target, Leicester City’s Jeffrey Schlupp, opted to sign a new contract with the Foxes [BBC].
However, news that Ghoulam will not be leaving Napoli may have repercussions for Chelsea.
With the Algerian no longer an option for Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone may increase his efforts to bring Filipe Luis back to La Liga [Express]. The club have already had an approach for the player rejected, but with their options further reduced, they may not focus their efforts on signing the full-back.
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