Laurent Koscielny will feature in his 405th appearance and that may also be his last for the Gunners. The French international, already 33, may have a lot of football left in him but his age does not comply with his want.
There is a growing tension with the Frenchman because of Sanllehi’s consistent approach of signing the Barcelona defender, Samuel Umtiti who also happened to replace Koscielny in French national team. Having said that, the chances of Umtiti being seen next year are at pinnacle.
Koscielny still has a 12-month deadline left for his contract to expire but recent negotiation with Arsenal which haven’t gone his way suggest on his willingness to exit. The veteran defender is shown considerable respect and prospective interest from the German club Bayer Leverkusen and all of this is based on Samuel Umtiti.
The recent interview of Umtiti’s agent suggest that the Catalan defender is eyeing a flight out of Barcelona.
‘We will take some thinking time, we will meet with the club at the end of the season,’ said Umtiti’s agent.
‘He will also make up his own mind.’
The 25-year-old Umtiti who may not find his place in playing XI next season, come Matthejs De Ligt to Barcelona. Umtiti, however, has a whopping £450 million clause but the catalans are ready to accept any bid in and around £45 million.
And with Raul Sanllehi keen to make a bid for Samuel Umtiti the deal may be a seal one. Sanllehi is surely the driving force between the two which may prove costly for Koscielny but worthy for future of Arsenal.
