Arsenal could let Francis Coquelin leave in January, with London rivals West Ham United keen to offer him an escape route.
Almost a year ago to the day, Francis Coquelin signed a new long-term contract Arsenal. Twelve months on, The Mirror reports that they will sell him for less than £10 million.
Say what you want about the forward planning, or lack thereof, at Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, suggestions that the Frenchman will be shunted out of the Emirates Stadium in January have apparently caught the eye of another club in London.
The report states that West Ham are keen to offer Coquelin a lifeline. Hammers boss David Moyes wants reinforcements in the centre of the park but, with the club struggling to sign Jonjo Shelvey or Joe Allen from Newcastle United and Stoke City respectively, they have turned their attention to Arsenal’s ankle-biting 26-year-old.
It is understood that Coquelin is concerned about his lack of opportunities at Arsenal and is keen on making the short trip to the London Stadium. He has started just one Premier League game all season and was omitted from The Gunners’ squad for their shock FA Cup defeat at Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
But while Arsenal fans appear to be toasting Coquelin’s potential exit with some degree of glee, West Ham supporters are not exactly enamoured by the prospect of the tenacious tough-tackler pulling on the claret and blue strip.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
