Arsenal target Elseid Hysaj is set to stay at Napoli at the moment which will come as a blow to the Gunners’ pursuit of the player. According to a report by Talksport, the full-back’s future at the Serie A club hinges on manager Maurizio Sarri’s plans for him in the near future. Sarri has done a remarkable job at the Naples based club this season and his side are currently well in contention to win the Serie A if they can successfully hold off Juventus. The manager’s rapid rise to prominence has seen him linked with a move to a whole host of clubs which include the likes of Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Real Madrid.
It would be a devastating blow for Napoli if their manager Sarri left and the situation could turn out to be even worse for them as some of the club’s star players might follow the manager out of the door in what is set to be a mass exodus in the summer. One of the players who is set for a switch in the summer is Elseid Hysaj. The player has been linked with a move to the Premier League with both Arsenal and Manchester United interested in securing his services. His agent Mario Giuffredi has confirmed that his client’s future hinges on Sarri’s and was quoted to have said,
“The next market in Naples will depend a lot on whether or not Sarri stays on the bench,”
“But at this moment everyone thinks about winning the Scudetto.”
With Hysaj’s future unclear at the moment, let’s take a look at three potential alternatives for the Gunners to consider.
Djibril Sidibé
The 25-year-old right-back has been in sparkling form for AS Monaco this season. The Frenchman has featured in 23 matches for the Ligue 1 club this term, scoring 3 goals and providing 4 assists in all competitions. He will be an ideal asset for the Gunners if they decided to opt for his services in the near future.
João Cancelo
The 23-year-old right-back has been a rock at the backline for Inter Milan in this campaign. The Portuguese full-back is highly versatile and can operate in both an attacking and a defence role down the right flank. His versatility is undoubtedly something that Arsenal could look to utilise in the coming years if they take a chance on him.
Ricardo Pereira
The 24-year-old defender is just hitting his peak years and has put in some solid displays for FC Porto this season. He has featured in 30 matches for the Portuguese club, scoring 2 goals and making 5 assists in all competitions. At 24, Pereira still has his best years ahead of him and the Gunners can definitely make use of his talents at the Emirates Stadium for the coming seasons.
