Arsenal suffer setback in race for Ismael Bennacer, 21, as Napoli lodge £10.6m bid

ARSENAL have suffered a setback in their bid to sign Ismael Bennacer after Napoli lodged a £10.6m bid for the 21-year-old.

Bennacer was sold to Empoli after making just one senior appearance for the Gunners.

Gunners boss Unai Emery has yet to show “concrete interest” in the midfielder.

However, SunSport have also explained that the North London outfit will only have £40million to spend in the summer window after missing out on Champions League following their Europa League final defeat to Chelsea.

Bennacer is considered a top Algerian talent and the Gunners have a buy-back clause.
Genoa were also monitoring Bennacer, and according to Calciomercato, Napoli have jumped to the front of the queue for his signature after making their interest concrete.

The report adds Carlo Ancelotti is an admirer and he wants to pip his rivals to Bennacer’s signature.

The Gunners, meanwhile, are hoping to clinch a deal for Atletico Madrid star Yannick Carrasco although nothing has been firmed yet.

Recently, Emery admitted he was worried about how not playing in Europe’s elite competition could hinder his side’s transfer plans.

He said: “I think Arsenal is a big name in the football world, and a lot of players want to play here.

“We are in one process and we need, in this process, to be strong. When we started this season, the idea was to get more competitive, like a team. To be closer to the other teams. And we did that.
“At the moment it's not enough to reach our targets. But we'll continue working in our minds.
“The transfers, I don't know for next year. But the club is working to improve and to take all we need to go our way.”