By Fab4.
Arsenal have had an £8.5m bid for Lorient defender Laurent Koscielny rejected, as it was dependent on a number of clauses and performance related payments, according to L’equipe. The Gunners made an initial offer of £4.5m offer last week which was rejected, and Lorient have knocked back the latest bid as they want £7m cash up front for the 24-year-old centre half.
Last week it was revealed that Arsene Wenger was prepared to let promising youngster Francis Copuelin join Lorient on loan for a season to sweeten the deal, but even this hasn’t forced the French side into a deal. Koscielny was signed only last year for £1.5m from Tours, but has been in impressive form this season which has seen him attract interest from all over Europe.
Arsenal boss Wenger is keen to bring in the centre half as he looks to reshuffle him back line ahead of next season, with William Gallas edging closer to the exit door as he has still to agree a contract extension, while Phillipe Senderos and Mikel Silvestre also seem destined to leave the Emirates. Perhaps more worryingly for Wenger is the news that Sol Campbell is seriously mulling over a move to Celtic despite a one-year contract on the table from the Gunners. That may mean Arsenal losing four centre backs from last years squad. Some serious business needs to be done in the transfer window Arsene!
