Benitez Hoping to Lure Arsenal Defender to Italy in January – Report

Napoli manager Rafa Benitez is keen to strengthen in January and has earmarked Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna as the ideal candidate to solve his problems at right-back.

The Italian club recently signed free agent Anthony Reveillere but the 34-year-old is simply a short term solution and Benitez would ideally like to sign a player in January who can be first choice at right-back for a number of seasons.

French publication le10sport report that Sagna is the defender Benitez would like to sign and he is hoping that he can convince Arsenal to part with the 30-year-old in January for a relatively small fee.

Sagna is out of contract at the end of the current season and will be available on a free transfer but it seems Benitez is determined to tempt him away from the Emirates in the New Year.

The France international has been a solid performer for Arsenal since signing from Auxerre in the summer of 2007 but has been repeatedly linked with a move back to Ligue 1.

Arsene Wenger will certainly want to identify a replacement as soon as possible but should Sagna decide he wants to leave in January then the Arsenal boss does have Carl Jenkinson in reserve.

While Sagna would be unable to play for Napoli in the Champions League, if they progress from their group which includes Arsenal, Benitez may well feel he can help strengthen their defence significantly as they look to challenge for the Serie A title.

Napoli currently sit third in the league but struggled in their last game against reigning champions Juventus who secured an impressive 3-0 win.

Benitez significantly strengthened over the course of the summer but it appears he feels his defence is still a problem and Sagna may well be the perfect solution. The one problem will be convincing the defender to leave the Gunners after their impressive start to the season that sees them sitting atop of the Premier League table.