Napoli supremo eyes Arsenal outcast as Koulibaly replacement

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has confirmed the club's intention to sign Sokratis from Arsenal as a replacement for Kalidou Koulibaly. 

Koulibaly is expected to leave the Serie A side this summer, with a Premier League switch in the works as Napoli gear up to allow the Senegal star to depart. 

However, De Laurentiis already has a replacement lined up for the 29-year-old so as not to be left short of centre-back options when Koulibaly does leave. 

"We are working on signing Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Arsenal, we consider it an option," De Laurentiis is quoted as saying by IlNapoliOnline.com via The Standard. 

Sokratis has just one year left to run on his current Arsenal deal, but the Gunners are prepared to sanction his departure following the permanent arrivals of Pablo Mari and Gabriel, coupled with William Saliba's return from his loan spell. 

The Greek defender was a regular feature in his debut season at the Emirates, starting 25 of 38 matches, but he failed to convince Mikel Arteta that he warranted a regular starting spot following the Spaniard's appointment in December. 

Indeed, post-lockdown, Sokratis didn't start a game for Arsenal, with his two appearances coming late on in FA Cup wins over Sheffield United and Chelsea.