Arsenal may activate buy-back clause before Lyon or Napoli snap up starlet

Algerian midfielder Ismael Bennacer has enjoyed an impressive season in Italy with Empoli, and has caught the attention of fellow Serie A side Napoli plus French side Lyon.

Bennacer joined Arsenal in 2015 as a teenager and featured once for the Gunners before joining Tours, then Empoli on a permanent basis in 2017 for around £900k.

Since then, Bennacer has begun to mature into a combative midfielder - cutting his teeth in Italy's top tier.

According to Le10Sport, Lyon are battling Napoli for the 21-year-old's signature, but both potential deals could be undone by Arsenal's handy buy-back clause.

The French outlet claims that Arsenal are yet to register any serious interest, but that Napoli's offer of €16 million might put the north Londoners on alert.

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