Arsenal have reportedly agree a £4 million deal to offload 30-year-old goalkeeper David Ospina, with Napoli set to sign the Colombian star.
According to a report by football.london, Arsenal are set to add some amount to Unai Emery’s summer budget. The Gunners have reportedly reached an agreement with Napoli for the transfer of David Ospina, who is set to return to San Paolo on a permanent basis in a £4 million deal.
David Ospina arrived at Arsenal in the aftermath of a solid 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign with Colombia. Replacing the Swansea City-bound Lukasz Fabianski, the shot stopper initially played second fiddle to Wojciech Szczesny before seizing his opportunity when it presented itself.
But, the three subsequent seasons saw him amass a mere 47 appearances, which is why it came as no surprise when following the arrival of Bernd Leno, Ospina left Arsenal last summer to join Napoli on a season-long loan deal.
His fortunes did improve to some extent, with the Colombian international featuring in nearly half of the games that Napoli played this past season. And, after being a fine solution in goal along with Alex Meret, the Partenopei have been keen on signing the 30-year-old on a permanent deal from Arsenal this summer.
However, there was some complication in their pursuit of Ospina, as a clause in their loan deal stipulated that Napoli would have to sign him for just £4 million. But, for the clause to come into effect, the Arsenal loanee had to accumulate 25 appearances across all competitions. In the end, he fell short by just one game.
As a result, the Serie A giants had been hoping to negotiate a lower price for the experience keeper, but to no avail. Napoli thus, have had to agree to Arsenal’s demands and are now set to shell out the £4 million to secure his services.
The amount might only be a nominal addition to the £45 million budget that Emery has at his disposal this summer. But, it would undoubtedly add some more money for the Arsenal boss to work with, with the expected sale of Carl Jenkinson, who is being heavily linked with second-tier side West Bromwich Albion, also set to add to the budget.
As far as Ospina is concerned, the 30-year-old will hope to continue in a game sharing capacity, if not better after joining Napoli in a £4 million move that looks imminent. Arsenal, meanwhile, could have to integrate Emiliano Martinez as backup to Leno, with their pursuit of other targets bearing no fruit.
