Arsenal suffer transfer blow after £23.8m defender’s agent rules out transfer

Elseid Hysaj’s agent has emphatically quashed talk of the Napoli defender completing a move to Arsenal this summer.

The Gunners were thought to be interested in the Albania international as Arsene Wenger looks to improve his defensive options at the Emirates Stadium.

The Napoli right-back was part of the Albanian side that lost 1-0 to Switzerland in their Group A opener on Saturday afternoon as his country make their first appearance at a major tournament.

However, Hysaj’s agent Mario Giuffredi has poured cold water on talk of the 22-year-old completing a move to the Gunners in the summer transfer window, questioning the stature of Wenger’s Arsenal.

“I consider Arsenal to be on the same level as Napoli, certainly not better. Napoli have become one of the most important clubs in Europe,” Giuffredi told Italian radio station Radio CRC.

“He has to remain at Napoli for at least another year, as the Champions League enables you to become a complete player.

“Obviously if in a year or so an offer arrives worth €30m [£23.8m], then at those figures a player is generally sold. For now the player should be locked down and made happy to remain at Napoli, because then he brings benefits to the team too.

“We are not asking for anything, as he is grateful to Aurelio De Laurentiis [Napoli President], but certain things need to be re-evaluated because his value has changed.

“He needs to be put on a par with his teammates on an economic level. We are not interested in stirring up trouble over a contract renewal, as he’ll have it at the opportune moment.”

Hysaj made two assists in 37 appearances in Serie A for Napoli last season as he helped the Naples outfit secure second place in the table behind champions Juventus.

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The Albania defender made a further five appearances in cup competitions, including the Europa League and Coppa Italia.