Arsenal’s captain Laurent Koscielny created ripples through the entire squad as he refused to travel with the club for their pre-season tour of the USA.
ESPN are now reporting that the French defender was willing to commit for two more years with the Gunners with his current contract ending next year but an offer was not forthcoming from the club.
This created doubts about whether the North London club really wanted to keep him. Arsenal are looking for £10 million to let go of the center back but ESPN are reporting that there are no firm offers for Koscielny at the moment.
On the contrary, L’Equipe are reporting that the 33-year-old wanted his contract to be terminated this season as he wanted to leave the club on a free and join Ligue 1 side such as Bordeaux.
Despite the fact that his contract was ending only next summer, he was counting on the club to end his contract now. As per French publication L’Equipe, a source from the French club Bordeaux told them:
‘I think that he wants to come. On our side, in any case, it is work that we have put in for a long period of time.’
If the captain had wanted to leave then a more amicable solution could and should have been found but the fact that it has reached this stage does not look good for the club. Koscielny is the Gunners’ longest-serving player and has given the club a lot.
But to look at the situation from the club’s point of view, it makes sense that they are looking to get a fee for the player instead of letting him go on a free. As it is, the North London club do not have a large transfer budget to speak of and they will be looking to get any and every amount of money that is possible.
The actions of the center back has gotten a very divisive response with many people criticizing the way he has conducted himself. Whatever your opinion on this issue may be, there is no denying the fact that it has become messy. It would be in the best interests of the club to find a solution as soon as possible and one that will benefit all parties involved.
