Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has insisted that his club believe in Arsenal and AC Milan linked defender Faouzi Ghoulam, casting doubt over whether he will be allowed to leave the side.
The full-back, who has a year remaining on his present contract with Napoli, has been in good form in the present campaign.
Besides helping his side’s defence, Ghoulam has managed to set up nine goals in 35 appearances in all competitions for the Italian outfit this season.
The Algeria international is on the radar of Arsenal, who sent scouts to watch him in action in February, with AC Milan also being credited with showing interest in the 26-year-old.
And De Laurentiis explained that he has always liked Ghoulam, whose recent performances he lauded.
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The 67-year-old went on to add that although Napoli could have sold Ghoulam, the club currently believe in the left-back.
“There are a lot of people who love him and some who don’t”, he was quoted as saying by Italian daily Corriere dello Sport.
“I’ve always liked him and in the last few weeks he has returned to his [high] levels with good performances.
“There was a time when we could have sold him and instead we believed in him.
“We continue to believe in him.”
It has been claimed that Ghoulam, who joined Napoli from Saint-Etienne in January 2014, could agree to pen a new deal with the Italian club.
