Arsenal are reportedly in the driver’s seat to sign Lorenzo Insigne, although Napoli are in contention of extending his deal in Naples.
According to Italian daily Corriere Dello Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, Arsenal are in the market for Lorenzo Insigne. The Premier League giants are one of many clubs interested in the Napoli forward, whose current contract expires at the end of the season.
Arsenal are believed to be leading other clubs in the race to sign the forward. But it appears the player is unlikely to leave Napoli as he is closing on a potential contract extension. The Italian giants have offered him a new five-year deal worth €5 million per season, which the attacker is likely to accept.
Insigne, who was also linked with a move to Arsenal’s bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur, has also recently bought a new house close to the city. It is perhaps an indicator of his desire to continue his career at Napoli, having already featured in over 400 competitive matches for the club, scoring 111 goals and registering 88 assists.
Insigne’s extended stay at Napoli is set to serve as a massive blow for Arsenal, who are actively scouring the market for attacking reinforcements in January. The Gunners have enjoyed a swift recovery lately but are still struggling with a lack of productivity and chance creation in the final third.
The Italian international’s pedigree at the highest level of football could have been extremely useful for Arsenal this season, adding some valuable experience to an otherwise young offensive unit. The Gunners have no shortage of alternatives, though, having been linked with a move for Real Madrid star Marco Asensio lately.
But the Spaniard doesn’t bring the experience and pedigree of Insigne. The 30-year-old is indeed one of the most established attackers in Europe right now given his success at Napoli and his leadership that has helped the Partenopei emerge as one of the main contenders for the Serie A title in the new season.
Not to mention, the Italian international will be available for free if Napoli fail to reach a new agreement over the contract extension. It might have been an ideal scenario for an Arsenal who are set to face financial restraints in January after spending a fortune in the summer transfer window.
