PSG, Monaco and Bayern Munich chase Arsenal defender
Published:Arsenal’s top four destiny may now be back in their own hands after Crystal Palace’s shock win over Everton but it’s not all good news for the Gunners if reports about the future of Laurent Koscielny are to be believed.
Arsene Wenger, whose side are now 1/5 to finish in the top four, faces a fight to get the central defender to sign a new contract at the Emirates Stadium with PSG, Monaco and Bayern Munich all interested in the Frenchman.
With Koscielny on relatively moderate wages of £50,000-a-week compared to defensive colleagues Per Mertesacker (£90,000-a-week) and Thomas Vermaelan (£75,000-a-week) all three clubs believe they can tempt him away from the club he joined back in 2010.
Arsenal are desperate to hang on to the 28-year-old, who has been an influential figure in the club’s run to the FA Cup final and their challenge for another top four finish in the Premier League, and are willing to offer him a substantial pay rise.
His partnership at the heart of the Arsenal defence with Mertesacker has been a key factor in the Gunners’ season and he has established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
This form has alerted a host of Europe’s top clubs and also an English club with sources in France claiming Manchester United are monitoring his future at (del.) in north London.
Failure to win the FA Cup and to qualify for the Champions League could convince Koscielny his future lies away from the Emirates, while the French international is also interested to see if Wenger commits his future to the club.
The Gunners are 3/10 with Ladbrokes to end their nine-year trophy drought by beating Hull to win the FA Cup but first they must consolidate their place in the Champions League places against the same opponents on Sunday.
Wenger’s men travel to the KC Stadium and are 4/5 to pick up a vital three points and pile the pressure on Everton, who play Manchester United later that day, in the race for fourth.
And the Arsenal boss will be hoping Koscielny, who returned from injury in his side’s 3-1 win over West Ham, can put any speculation surrounding his future to one side for the final stages of the season.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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