Unfortunate News As Club Look to Pull Out of Ospina Deal

David Ospina's hopes of getting a permanent deal at Napoli seems to have been dealt a heavy blow owing to a new development.

The Arsenal goalkeeper joined the Italian giants on a season-long loan during the last summer transfer window, at a time when a replacement was needed for Alex Meret who broke his arm just six days after completing a move from Udinese.

In the agreement between the two parties involved was a clause stating that Napoli will have to give him a permanent deal should he make a certain number of appearances but from the look of things, they are not ready to do that.

Ospina has done so well for the side but the return of Meret from injury has posed a threat to his career with the Partenopei. He has featured only five times in about two and a half months which is a far lower stat when compared to his infant days in Italy and Ospina has claimed that he is not getting adequate playtime because Napoli do not want him to remain with them.

"I knew this might happen," Ospina told Radio Blu.

"My current situation is that I am on loan for this season and there's a clause based on the number of games, so if I play regularly, it'll become an automatic purchase.

"When the situation doesn't depend on me, all I can do is wait for the decisions to be made by Napoli. The club had just spent a lot of money on Meret, a young goalkeeper with a great future ahead of him, so I knew that when he came back from injury, this might happen.

"He's a great keeper, a lovely guy and he'll make a real name for himself in future."

The 30-year-old had less chances with the arrival of Bernd Leno, thus, the necessity for a loan move. With Petr Cech nearing retirement, one will feel that Arsenal will be happy to recall him but going by the South American's remarks, he will likely not make a return to London. He wants regular football which he will not get at the Emirates Stadium with Leno around.

He added: "I want to continue playing in Europe, although a return to South American football is always a possibility.

"I am open for a move closer to home."

One of the goalkeeper coaches at Arsenal visited Ospina recently though the purpose of the reunion remains unknown. He has made a total of 17 appearances in all competitions since making the temporary switch last year.