Kevin Malcuit to Arsenal: The Gunners are increasingly becoming active in the transfer market as the January transfer closes this week.
Arsenal have been shaky in the last two months across all competitions. The side is level on points with Manchester United in the Premier League but conceded a defeat to Solskjaer’s side in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the only goal in a 3-1 loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup.
Arsenal’s defensive crisis has further worsened after injuries to Laurent Koscielny and Sokratis. The latter was confirmed to sit on the sidelines till the end of the February after an injury during the game against Manchester United.
Hector Bellerin has been ruled out of the season, and Arsenal have now become increasingly active in their search for a defender in the transfer market.
Kevin Malcuit to Arsenal:
The 27-year-old defender joined Napoli last year from Lille, and his agent Bruno Satin confirmed that Arsenal are interested in the player.
“There’s a London club who are looking for a right-back,” he told Radio CRC. “They asked about Kevin, but there’s no question of him leaving Napoli.”
Arsenal have made an approach for Napoli’s French right-back Kévin Malcuit, according to France Football https://t.co/bwbf3urYPx
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) January 28, 2019
Arsenal targeting move for right-back Kevin Malcuit. He recently moved to Napoli for €11m from Lille. Napoli have Hysaj and Maksimovic as other options at RB, but Malcuit has impressed this season [France Football] https://t.co/aCMpvKIx0X
— PB (@OliPriceBates) January 28, 2019
On being asked if the club could be Arsenal, he said, “Arsenal? It could be them, but not necessarily. He’s happy with Ancelotti and in Naples.”
However, France Football has confirmed that Arsenal have made an approach for the player as they seek to replace Hector Bellerin, who has been ruled out for the entirety of the season due to injury.
However, the report also suggests that Arsenal could face issues over dealing with Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, who is known for being rigid in transfer talks.
Kevin Malcuit joined Napoli for €11 in August last year. However, he has had limited opportunities during his initial days at the Italian outfit, but Carlo Ancelotti is slowly integrating him to the first team.
Arsenal linked with a move for Napoli right back Kevin Malcuit.
Never been convinced about him myself – classic modern full back who is much better at going forward than at the defending basics. #AFC https://t.co/WncvxFBaGu
— Jeremy Smith (@jeremysmith98) January 28, 2019
Kevin Malcuit during league play this season:
858 minutes (12 apps)
24/28 tackles (86%)
26 interceptions (leads all Serie A RBs)
4 dispossessed
12 key passes
86% passing— Chris Moore (@chrismoore32) January 28, 2019
Kevin Malcuit´s agent: ´´There’s a London club who are looking for a right-back. They asked about Kevin, but there’s no question of him leaving Napoli.
Arsenal? It could be them, but not necessarily. He’s happy with Ancelotti and in Naples.” That´s it then.— renato (@rehnato) January 28, 2019
After being on the bench for the first five games of the season, Malcuit has made 12 Serie A appearances for Napoli so far, playing for full 90 minutes in the side’s last three games in the league.
