L’Équipe report this morning that 33-year-old Arsenal captain and central defender Laurent Koscielny is seriously considering a departure from the club this summer, as the North London side stall on offering the former French international a new contract.
The media outlet claims that the former Lorient man is seeking a new challenge and that whilst discussions have occurred regarding a new deal with the Gunners, nothing has come of those conversations.
The Europa League final would be his 405th game for the club and may be his last, as the idea of trying something new becomes “more and more tempting”.
Rennes and AC Milan have recently made contact, but it is currently Bayer Leverkusen who are the most interested, having qualified for Champions’ League football on the final day of the Bundesliga campaign. His big experience interests Bayer greatly.
Arsenal’s reticence to offer “Kos” an extension may lie in their possible pursuit of Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti, according o the newspaper. The French World Cup winner is struggling to make it back into the 1st team after Clément Lenglet successfully replaced him.
The Catalan giants are also in talks for Mathijs De Ligt, in competition with Liverpool in a reportedly €75m deal.
Barcelona need cash and Arsenal could bring them some, with Umtiti’s release clause at €500m but FCB wiling to negotiate around the €60m mark. With no Champions’ League, a deal for the former Lyon man looks unlikely. Raul Sanllehi is very much behind wanting to attract Umtiti.
