Arsenal have told Napoli it will cost €8m (£7.25m) to sign defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos, according to reports in the Italian media.
There were claims that the Serie A side were trying to get the Gunners to let the Greek international sign for them on a free transfer, with the centre-back having less than a year left on his contract at the Emirates.
However, it seems the London club are sticking to their guns over the transfer fee. Supporters on Twitter would be happy to see Sokratis leave for that fee, while many were slyly trying to encourage Napoli into making a bid by claiming it is a bargain:
Sell him quick and go for partey!!!!!
— Anish Man Pradhan (@AnishManPradha1) September 8, 2020
— Fuad (@Fuadnehemen) September 8, 2020
Napoli can definitely afford it after the sale of koulibaly
— Rinkiya ke pitaji (@rinkiya_kepapa) September 8, 2020
Pls come get him quick.
— Xavier (@FiercelyXavier) September 8, 2020
Aresnal not letting him go for free pic.twitter.com/YZ0g3ZradO
— Vedant #FreePartey (@VedantAFC) September 8, 2020
Volunteer to deliver him myself pic.twitter.com/oTBUXiUuTY
— sadikhking (@isadikhking) September 8, 2020
8M is bargain. Come on @sscnapoli Strike the deal
— Gooners Fanatic (@HEMENDRAHEBIRON) September 8, 2020
I wouldn't mind settling for 6/7 mil for him.
— Mario ™ (@mazplayz) September 8, 2020
8 will be delicious
— Jim Boot-Marshall (@JimBootMarshall) September 8, 2020
Arsenal are in a tricky position. Clubs know they want to offload their fringe players and the fact that the Gunners currently have seven centre-halves doesn’t help matters.
After reports they have pulled the plug on Rob Holding’s loan move to Newcastle, perhaps the club are hopeful they can offload Sokratis before the transfer window closes.