Sources: Arsenal braced for £17m bid as contract set to be offered

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

Published on:

01 Jul 2016, 4:55 pm

By Arsenal correspondent Tony Hughes

Bayern Munich are weighing up a £16.8million summer move for Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny, Football Insider sources understand.

The German giants are tracking the Frenchman as they assess plans to strength their squad following a disappointing end to 2015-16 season.

Despite sealing the league title, Bayern were knocked out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage for a third consecutive season.

Bayern are targeting a proven centre-back this summer who will be comfortable with the fluid playing style that new manager Carlo Ancelotti has inherited from Pep Guardiola.

Bayern are long-term admirers of Koscielny, who has developed into one of the most accomplished defenders in the Premier League.

The 30-year-old has two years remaining on his £100,000-a-week contract and is rated in the £16.8million bracket by Arsenal.

Bayern are ready to offer Koscielny a lucrative deal to entice him from Emirates Stadium.

However, the north Londoners will fight off interest in a player considered integral to Arsene Wenger's future plans.

Koscielny joined Arsenal from Lorient in 2010 for around £9.7m and has established him as a lynchpin of the Arsenal team, forming an established centre-back partnership with Per Mertesacker.

The France international has been a key figure for club and country in recent years, and has started all four of his country's matches at Euro 2016.

In other Arsenal transfer news, Wenger has triggered a north London striker war with a hint about £45million star.

Arsenal

Laurent Koscielny