Laurent Koscielny reportedly open to joining Marseille
Laurent Koscielny has been the one constant in a defence that has been chopped and changed this season but the Frenchman could be on the way out of the club in the summer.
The Daily Mail report that the 31-year-old is open to a return to France in the summer and Marseille are said to be interested in signing him.
Having joined the Gunners in the summer of 2010, Koscielny has spent the best part of seven years at the Emirates and has developed into one of the Premier League’s most consistent defenders and has nailed down a regular place in the France international squad as a result.
Despite signing a new three-and-a-half-year contract back in January, another disappointing season for Arsenal has left Koscielny weighing up his options as we enter the summer transfer window.
“People have mentioned [a move to Marseille] but there is nothing concrete,” he told French paper Le Figaro.
“I may want to return to France but lots of questions would be asked because it’s never simple being at a club like Arsenal for seven years and returning to France.
“It will be life choices, outside of football, that decide what happens next in my career.”
“I enjoy living in London. I still have a long-term contract at Arsenal and I am focused on my objective of finishing as high as people… we will see at the end of the season what will happen but I am tied to this club for a long time.”
Easily the club’s best and most consistent defender, Koscielny adds leadership and experience to the defensive line and those are qualities that are not easily replaced.