Lorient boss expects Koscielny to leave

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Arsenal have received a boost in their pursuit of Lorient centre-back Laurent Koscielny with his coach admitting he expects the young Frenchman to be playing at Emirates Stadium next season.

Having reportedly seen two bids of around £4 million knocked back, Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger has sweetened the deal by allowing Arsenal’s French under-18 defender Francis Coquelin to join the Brittany-based outfit on a season-long loan next term.

Wenger has made no secret of his desire to bolster his ageing defence this summer, with Sol Campbell, William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre all tipped to leave Arsenal.

“Laurent will leave,” Gourcuff told L’Equipe.

“If Arsenal really want him, they will have to pay the right fee.

“To replace him we will do what we’re used to doing – even if the transfer fee will not be re-invested on a new central defender.”

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Gregg Davies
Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.