£15m Pep talk for Laurent

Posted Tuesday, June 04, 2013 by thesun.co.uk

ARSENE WENGER faces a fight to keep £15million Bayern Munich target Laurent Koscielny.

An Arsenal insider said: “Laurent is aware of Bayern’s interest and has talked about it with other players. No one knows how it will end up but anything is possible.

“It’s worrying because it’s a very attractive option for him to sign for the Champions League winners, who will have Pep Guardiola as manager next season.”

Boss Wenger has issued several hands-off warnings about the much-improved centre-half, but it seems Bayern are determined to get him — and the Gunners are expecting a bid from the European champions.

Koscielny, 27, has had his best season since joining Arsenal in a £8.5m switch from Lorient three years ago.

He is now a starter for France and Wenger would hate to lose him.

Arsenal’s 10-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, that helped them clinch fourth spot on the last day of the season, was based on a series of solid defensive performances with just six goals conceded.

Koscielny and Per Mertesacker are now Wenger’s first-choice pairing at the heart of the Gunners rearguard.