PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Faouzi Ghoulam - Crocked Algerian to receive contract extension?

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday Nov 08, 2017. 19:00

Algerian defender Faouzi Ghoulam is reportedly close to receiving a contract extension with Napoli, having suffered a season-ending knee injury last week.

The 26-year-old picked up a serious ACL injury while playing for Napoli against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League last Wednesday.

Prior to the injury, Ghoulam was very much a hot property in the transfer market, with the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Juventus said to be keen on signing the Algerian - either in the January transfer window, or at the end of the current season.

This is because Ghoulam is set to be a free agent in June 2018, when his contract at Stadio San Paolo expires.

However, Calciomercato reports that Napoli and Ghoulam are now close to agreeing a new deal for the Fennec Foxes player, which would secure his future at the club and end transfer speculation.

In the meantime, Ghoulam will be focused on recovery, having undergone surgery on his knee, and will be keeping an eye out for Algeria’s results in matches against Nigeria and the Central African Republic in the international break.