Football

Arsenal identify Laurent Koscielny replacement after setting price tag for captain


Arsenal will demand £10.6million for captain Laurent Koscielny as Borussia Dortmund step up their interest.

Koscielny has 12 months left on his contract but talks over a new deal have failed to reach an agreement and the Frenchman is seeking a new challenge.

Dortmund can offer the 33-year-old Champions League football next season and he is tempted by the move to Germany.

And the Gunners are preparing a bid for William Saliba, the £27m-rated Saint-Etienne youngster, as his potential long-term replacement.

Arsenal boss Unai Emery has made rising French star Dayot Upamecano, 20, of Leipzig, and Sampdoria’s Denmark international Joachim Andersen, 23, priority targets to stiffen his central defence.

Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny

But talks are also underway about a move for 18-year-old Saliba, who could even be loaned back to Saint-Etienne.

Manchester United have also been credited with an interest in the teenager but Arsenal are leading the chase.

Saliba made 16 appearances for the Ligue 1 side in his break-through season.

Former Arsenal star Lauren has commented on his rise, stating that: “He looks a very good player.

William Saliba of Saint Etienne

“Strong, tall, can come out of the back with the ball and an international for France.

“He reads the game very well, which is important for a player at the back, you have to anticipate and he looks very good at just 18, so the future is bright!”

Arsenal boss Unai Emery has been given a transfer budget of just £40m to spend this summer after failing to qualify for the Champions League.

Ryan Fraser is another target but he has admitted he could stay with Bournemouth this summer.





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