Ligue 1 side Bordeaux reportedly have Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny high up on their shortlist for the summer.
20-year-old centre-half Jules Koundé is on his way to La Liga side Sevilla and the report reveals that Les Girondins want Koscielny to replace him this summer.
Bordeaux have been in talks with the Gunners skipper over the last few months and the Frenchman has allegedly expressed his interest in the project at the Matmut Atlantique.
Koscielny will allegedly push Arsenal to release him this summer despite having a year left on his contract. But the report reveals that the Gunners have put an £8.9 million price tag on their captain.
The former French international completed nine years at the Emirates at the end of last season and he has arguably been one of the club’s most important players in that period.
Koscielny has played over 350 games for the Gunners since his switch from Lorient in 2009 and Arsenal letting him leave will depend on if they can find a replacement.
Unai Emery’s side are in desperate need of a new central defender and Koscielny, despite being 33, was one of the most important players last season. Shkodran Mustafi’s inconsistency and Rob Holding’s injury made his services key for the Gunners but, with the latter expected to be back in action, Koscielny’s involvement next season would not be as regular as it has been over the years.
Arsenal’s tiny budget will also play a huge role in securing the services of top players and letting Koscielny leave for free would be a mistake. However, the Frenchman has been an incredible servant over the years and, if he is not in Emery’s plans for the upcoming season, he might well be allowed to leave for a small fee.
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