Arsenal turn to Napoli CB as early moves continue

Mark Holmes

Arsenal are reported to have turned their attention to Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly after completing the signing of Granit Xhaka.

Arsenal did not sign a single outfield player last summer, adding only goalkeeper Petr Cech to their squad, but Arsene Wenger has already sanctioned the £30million signing of Xhaka and wants to sign a new defender and forward before the summer is out.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Koulibaly is the Gunners’ next target. The Senegal international is also interesting Chelsea and Manchester United, but Wenger is determined to add a centre-back to his squad and so could move quickly for the 24-year-old, who is expected to cost around £20million.

Alvaro Morata remains Wenger’s top strike target, but Real Madrid are set to exercice a £23million buy-back clause to re-sign him from Juventus and then sell him on at a profit, with The Sun claiming the Spanish side want £38million.

Arsenal are also following Vincent Janssen at AZ Alkmaar, the Daily Telegraph says, while Bolton defender Rob Holding, Celtic left back Kieran Tierney and Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon are among several young British players the club are hoping to sign.

Lorient vice-president Alex Hayes, meanwhile, claims four clubs have bid for Portugal left-back Raphael Guerreiro.

Hayes named Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund as two of the clubs to have made offers, with Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain reported to be the other interested parties.