Arsenal set to make shocking £15m bid to hijack Barcelona and Manchester United in ace chase

According to reports from the Mirror, Arsenal are lining-up a move for Napoli full-back Elseid Hysaj, as the Emirates outfit boss Arsene Wenger is conscious that Hector Bellerin could soon be lured home by the La Liga champions.

Bellerin, 21, was a part of Barcelona’s youth system before moving to north London and could be tempted to return to the Catalan giants, with Wenger keen to find a replacement in his efforts to challenge for the league title next season.

The Daily Star reports that the Frenchman is set to make an offer of around €18 million for the full-back, Elseid Hysaj.

The 22-year-old Albanian international has been in superb form this season as the Partenopei finished second in Serie A, and impressed during his country’s narrow defeat to Switzerland at the opening of the UEFA EURO 2016, on Saturday afternoon.

The reports from the Daily Star goes on to say that, the north Londoners have been impressed by the Albania international over the past 12 months as in that period, the 22-year-old managed 37 Serie A appearances for the Partenopei, helping the Italian club side to finish second in the table after a transitory title challenge to winners Juventus. Elseid Hysaj, 22, is one of Europe’s brightest young defensive talents.

However, Arsenal face competition for the 22-year-old Albanian international from Barcelona, Chelsea, and Manchester United – with a lack of Champions League football making a move difficult for the latter two. Subsequently. Hysaj could opt in joining the Emirates outfit.

In June 2015, the Albanian international's move to Napoli was completed and he signed a five-year contract for a reported fee of €5 million, becoming the second most expensive move for the Partenopei.

On 21 May 2016, the Albanian full-back was named in Albania's preliminary 27-man squad for UEFA EURO 2016 and in Albania's final 23-man UEFA Euro squad on 31 May. He captained his side for the first time during the Euro 2016 warm-up match against Qatar, which ended in a 3–1 win, becoming the youngest ever captain.

As luck would have it, the Catalan giants Barcelona are reportedly keeping a close watch on Hysaj as they look to replace Daniel Alves, who left for Juventus earlier in the month.

“Truthfully, on my opinion, I believe Wenger would love to have both the Albanian and Bellerin at the Emirates next season.”

Should the deal for Hysai be unsuccessful, the 22-year-old, who cost Napoli £5m from Empoli in June 2015, is not the only right-back on the radar. 

According to sources close to the German title winners, Bayern Munich’s defender Rafinha, 30, is another potential target for Wenger.