Arsenal make ground in bid to sell 28-year-old Wilshere called a ‘monster’

Follow us on Google Discover

Marseille have made progress in negotiations to sign Sead Kolasinac in the January transfer sales, as President Pablo Longoria is desperate for the Arsenal defender to move to France.

That’s according to La Provence, who report Longoria is working tirelessly to land the left-back for manager Jorge Sampaoli. OM must sign a new option for the position after letting Jordan Amavi join OGC Nice. He moved on loan with an option to buy in the summer.

Amavi’s exit left Sampaoli without a recognised full-back, but Marseille feel Kolasinac has the profile to suit their plans. Discussions with the Gunners have also advanced, since the Daily Mail noted the Stade Velodrome outfit’s interest and that he is set to leave England.

Kolasinac is in the final six-months of his £100k-a-week contract at the Emirates Stadium. But as Mikel Arteta rarely fields the 28-year-old, the Gunners are open to an earlier exit.

There is next to no chance that Kolasinac signs an extension in north London, either, after five appearance this season. Additionally, the Bosnian has only started three games – two of which have been in the Carabao Cup. His only Premier League start was back in August.

Marseille could face Napoli competition for Arsenal’s Kolasinac transfer

Marseille have made some ground in talks with Arsenal over Kolasinac’s January transfer to southern France. But Les Phoceens are yet to strike a total agreement with the Gunners for the German-born full-back to replace Amavi.

OM will continue discussions with the north Londoners to seal Sampaoli’s new option. Yet the Ligue 1 side may face competition from Italy, with Sky Sports citing Napoli as an option.

Luciano Spalletti’s Azzurri are also interested in Kolasinac’s transfer from Arsenal during the mid-season market. But the Serie A outfit are not as far down the road as Marseille appear.

Marseille and Napoli could sign a combative left-back Arsenal fans’ favourite Jack Wilshere lauded during the midfielder’s time with Kolasinac at the Emirates Stadium in the Bosnian.

“He’s no-nonsense, even in training,” Wilshere told Arsenal Player in 2017. “He’s a natural-born winner, he’s a monster physically and you’d hate to play against him. You look at when the winger receives the ball, he’s onto him, not giving him an inch.”