Arsenal are reportedly considering a move for Napoli’s Piotr Zielinski to replace Aaron Ramsey as talks with Sevilla move ‘uphill’ for Ever Banega according to a report in Italy.

With Arsenal reportedly withdrawing their contract offer to the Welsh midfielder for three main reasons, it seems as if the time has finally come for the club and player to part ways.

As such, much attention has turned to the question of how Arsenal will replace a player who has been, when fit, a guaranteed starter until the arrival of Unai Emery this summer.

There has been a lot of talk about the club moving for Sevilla’s Ever Banega but a report in Italy claims that move is ‘going uphill’ – in other words, the club are having a hard time making progress with the deal.

Step forward Piotr Zielinski.

BELGRADE, SERBIA - SEPTEMBER 18: Piotr Zielinski of SSC Napoli in action during the Group C match of the UEFA Champions League between Crvena Zvezda Belgrade and SSC Napoli at Rajko Mitic Stadium on September 18, 2018 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
BELGRADE, SERBIA – SEPTEMBER 18: Piotr Zielinski of SSC Napoli in action during the Group C match of the UEFA Champions League between Crvena Zvezda Belgrade and SSC Napoli at Rajko Mitic Stadium on September 18, 2018 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)

Calciomercato are short on details other than to say Arsenal are looking for an ‘heir’ to Ramsey and want a player who can cover a number of roles within the side as well as someone who can get on the scoresheet regularly.

Zielinski has two goals this season in seven Serie A appearances with seven in 47 last season, six in 47 the season before and five in 36 before that. He doesn’t instantly strike you as the ‘regular’ goalscorer Emery is supposed to want.

That being said, Ramsey himself has never been prolific and has only hit double figures for goals scored three times. In his last seven seasons, he scored 11, 4, 6, 10, 16, 2 and 3 goals respectively. Assists in the same seasons are 12, 5, 5, 8, 10, 4 and 6.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Troy Deeney of Watford takes the ball away from Aaron Ramsey (R) of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Watford FC at Emirates Stadium on September 29, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: Troy Deeney of Watford takes the ball away from Aaron Ramsey (R) of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Watford FC at Emirates Stadium on September 29, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Zielinski has 16 assists in the last three-and-a bit seasons. Mesut Ozil got 14 last season alone.

The central midfielder, who is also at home playing on the left wing, signed for Napoli from Udinese in the summer of 2016.

He cost £12.6m at the time and signed a contract that runs until 2021.