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Arsenal open talks over late swoop to sign French defender, agent confirms interest

By on January 29, 2019

According to France Football via the Metro, Arsenal have opened talks with Napoli over a potential deal to sign right-back Kevin Malcuit on loan until the end of the season.

Unai Emery has confirmed he’s looking to sign two players before the window closes on Thursday night and we’re close to signing midfielder Denis Suarez on loan from Barcelona.

However, Arsenal could now be dipping in to the market for another defender as Hector Bellerin has joined Rob Holding in being ruled out for the season while Sokratis and Laurent Koscielny picked up injuries against Man Utd.

France Football, via the Metro, claim that Arsenal have now made contact with Napoli to discuss a loan deal for Malcuit after Emery identified the 27-year-old Frenchman as a priority signing this week.

The report says Emery has given his bosses the go-ahead to negotiate a deal and Malcuit’s agent has confirmed that a London club have expressed an interest in signing the right-back. He wouldn’t name Arsenal outright but he dropped a strong hint that we were the club in question.

The agent told Radio CRC, via CalcioMercato:

‘Interest? I can confirm that there is a London club who is looking for a right-back. They have interest in him but Kevin is happy at Napoli and he is doing well. Arsenal? Yes it could be them but I won’t say so…’.

Malcuit joined Napoli from Lille back in the summer but he’s only played a handful of games as he’s up against Nikola Maksimovic and Elseid Hysaj for a starting spot at right-back.

I’ve seen further reports suggesting that Napoli are ready to do business and I think it would make sense for Arsenal to sign another right-back as we can’t rely on Stephan Lichtsteiner to fill Bellerin’s boots.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has potential but right-back isn’t his main position so it would be a huge risk to go with what we’ve got for the rest of the season. Therefore, a short-term deal for Malcuit would be welcome. Let’s hope we can pull it off.