Napoli continue pursuit of Arsenal defender

Date: 20th January 2014 at 7:29pm
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Thomas Vermaelen ArsenalNapoli are continuing their pursuit for Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen.

The Belgium international has found little space in Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s lineup this season making only three Premier League starts and is keen to secure regular playing time ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

Il Mattino is reporting Arsenal have put an €8.5 million price tag on the Gunners center-back but Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has only authorised a bid of €5.5m.

The Gunners captain who previously played regularly with the North London club since arriving in 2009, has found himself on the outside looking in as Wenger has settled on a defensive pairing of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny this season, has already agreed to a move to join the Azzurri.

Napoli coach Rafa Benitez is aiming to improve upon a defense that has thus far been characterized by costly errors, including a 90th minute late goal surrendered Sunday to Rolando Bianchi who scored a brace for his 10-man Bologna side to secure a valuable draw.

 

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