French ace is wanted by outspoken president.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has signalled his intention to sign highly rated Lyon midfielder Maxime Gonalons in the January transfer window, L’Equipe reports.
The France international was a target for Arsenal over the summer but both player and club refused to push through a deal to north London, opting instead to keep the 24-year-old at the Stade Gerland.
However, that’s not stopped the recent serial spender De Laurentiis from eyeing a move for the defensive midfielder as Lyon could now look to sell as he grows frustrated with the side’s poor showing so far this season. Early results have seen the former champions languish just above the Ligue 1 drop zone and Gonalons is wary of any further uphill struggles later on in the campaign.
De Laurentiis also confirmed that initial talks between the two had taken place alongside the player’s tentative talk with the Gunners, but the Italians were ready to accept his decision to stay put.
The president has stated that he expects the club to bring in at least two new bodies in the new year, but ruled out the possibility of brining in Barcelona’s Javier Mascherano. De Laurentiis had been hoping that Rafa Benitez’s links with the player would be enough to convince him to leave the Spanish champions, but he is not prepared to leave.