Serie A heavyweights to tempt Arsenal with move for first-choice defender
Serie A powerhouses Roma and Napoli will look to test the resolve of new manager Mikel Arteta after registering their interest in Arsenal left-back Sead Kolasinac.
The Gunners’ defence has been the frequent subject of jest this term with their 27 goals conceded providing just three clean sheets in the league from 18 attempts.
Bosnian Kolasinac has been somewhat of a bright spark however, with the left-back deputising ably with summer recruit Kieran Tierney only capable of playing in five league matches due to various injury troubles.
Changes in playing personnel are a given under new management, however, and Mikel Arteta is set to be given a decision to make after Sky Sports revealed Napoli and Roma are keen on the 26-year-old.
After the departure of now-Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti, Gennaro Gattuso now holds the reins in Naples and Sky Sports state the club are “keen on bringing the Bosnia-Herzegovina left-back to the club next month.”
Roma, on the other hand, are reported to be willing to wait until the summer window before launching a bid to coincide with the departure of “out-of-contract 34-year-old Aleksandar Kolarov” in six months’ time.
Scotland full-back Kieran Tierney had expected to be the number one left-back going forward, but early injury struggles were compounded recently when the 22-year-old dislocated his shoulder in a match versus West Ham.
With the projected timetable for a return set at around three months, Arteta is unlikely to be willing to allow Kolasinac to leave in January.
The Bosnian has two-and-a-half years remaining on his current Gunners’ contract, meaning Arsenal and Arteta hold all the leverage when making a final decision on the Bosnian’s future.
Meanwhile, a recent report revealed Arsenal are looking to make a move for Bayer Leverkusen forward Kevin Volland.
The Germany international has been scouted by the Gunners multiple times in recent weeks, though a move for the 27-year-old could signal the end of star striker Pierre Emerick Aubameyang’s time at the Emirates.
