Napoli president confirm interest in Papastathopoulos

Sokratis Papastathopoulos is a target for Napoli and they have already opened talks for his transfer, notifies Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Napoli look resigned to losing Kalidou Koulibaly, one of their key players and arguably their best defender, this summer with the center-back heavily linked with a move to the Premier League.

The Italian side, therefore, are already preparing for life after Koulibaly as they are in the market for a new defender.

Napoli were in the race to sign Gabriel Magalhaes but the highly-rated left-footed center-back ended up joining Arsenal. Soon after, reports emerged they have not turned their attention to signing Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

The Partenopei are reportedly hoping to negotiate a move for Papastathopoulos on a free transfer, and president Aurelio De Laurentiis recently confirmed the rumors.

“We are working on signing Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Arsenal,” said De Laurentiis, as Football Italia reports. “We consider it an option.”

Papastathopoulos, who arrived at the Emirates from Borussia Dortmund in 2018, dropped down in the Arsenal pecking order after the appointment of Mikel Arteta last season. He played only one Premier League match post lockdown, though his league appearances totaled to 19 in 2019/20.

The 32-year old Greek international, who has entered the final year of his current contract, has been linked with a move away from Arsenal for some time now.