Napoli want to sign Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech on loan, according to reports.

Italian outlet Di Marzio write that Napoli are desperate to sign a goalkeeper this summer, after their pursuit of Bernd Leno appears to have failed. Their priority signing is Alphonse Areola of Paris Saint-Germain, but the French club aren’t open to a sale, and would prefer to sell Kevin Trapp.

The Serie A side haven’t given up on Areola just yet, but they’ve reportedly made enquiries with Arsenal over the availability of Petr Cech on loan as a back up plan.

It’s a bit of a strange thing to propose to Arsenal, considering Cech’s current contract with the club only lasts until 2019 anyway. By the time the 36-year-old returned from loan he would be available on a free transfer, so it would make much more sense for the Gunners to sell.

It’s not completely unheard of for Arsenal to send players on loan in the final year of their deal, but it usually happens with youth players. For example, Marc Bola and Tafari Moore both spent the year with lower league English clubs, before Arsenal released them this summer on their return.

Perhaps the club could consider doing the same thing with Cech, given he’s unlikely to command a big fee at his age. We’ll have to wait and see how they respond to Napoli’s enquiry.