Arsenal to spring a surprise? Gunners open to letting Takehiro Tomiyasu leave on loan as Napoli circle

Tomiyasu has emerged as a transfer target for Serie A champions Napoli ahead of the January transfer window. The Italian club are keen to strengthen their backline after losing Natan to injury. Tomiyasu is one of several options that Napoli are considering, according to Il Matino. Arsenal are said to be willing to allow the 25-year-old to leave on loan this winter.

Arsenal allowing Tomiyasu to move would come as something of a surprise. The versatile defender had been in impressive form until being ruled out through injury at the start of the month. Napoli do have other targets in mind, according to the report, with Arsenal team-mate Jakub Kiwior, Sparta Prague’s Martin Vitik, Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini and Genoa's Radu Dragusin also on the club's radar.

After winning the league last season, Napoli have picked up just 28 points in the current Serie A campaign. The team have only gained fewer points after 18 matches in two of the last 16 seasons since returning to the Italian top flight in 2007-08.

Tomiyasu remains on Arsenal's injury list but could return for the team's FA Cup third-round clash with Liverpool on January 7. The defender is then due to link up with the Japan national team for Asian Cup.