Chrsitian Gourcuff has all but confirmed the transfer of Laurent Koscielny to Arsenal saying:

“Laurent will leave,” Gourcuff told L’Equipe.

“If Arsenal really want him, they will pay the right fee.

“To replace him we will do what we’re used to doing – even if the transfer fee will not be re-invested on a new central defender.”

Following Wenger’s quote in the Sun newspaper about there being a move on going for the Centre back and today with the news that Francis Coquelin has gone to Lorrient on loan for a year who is a direct replacement then it is very probable the move will be finalised by Arsenal within on week.

Франсис Кокелан присоединился к клубу первой французской лиги "Лорьяну" на правах аренды на целый сезон.

Сделка была подтверждена сегодня утром на официальном сайте французского клуба. Согласно некоторым источникам, аренда молодого "канонира" связана с возможным переходом Лорана Косьелни в лондонский "Арсенал".

Кокелан проведет в стане "мерлуз" один сезон. Сегодня же утром молодой игрок и был представлен небольшому количеству фанатов "Лорьяна". Вскоре 19-летний игрок отправится в расположение основного состава "мерлуз", где проведет с клубом предсезонную подготовку.

Стоит отметить, что главный тренер французского клуба Кристиан Гуркюфф уже выражал интерес к Франсису ранее этим летом,  и по началу игрок "Арсенала" рассматривался как часть 8-миллионной сделки с участием. Но вскоре это предложение было отозвано, так как последовало новое - 10 миллионов евро.

26-летний защитник "Локомотива" и сборной России Ренат Янбаев вошел в сферу интересов "Арсенала", сообщает корреспондент "СЭ" Вячеслав Короткин со ссылкой на британскую радиовещательную корпорацию Global Radio.

В настоящее время "канониры" пока только изучают кандидатуру железнодорожника, а официальных контактов по этому поводу с москвичами еще не было.

По информации англичан, главный тренер лондонцев Арсен Венгер считает Янбаева, умеющего продуктивно поддерживать атаки, футболистом, подходящим клубу по стилю, и видит в нем достойного конкурента французским фланговым игрокам обороны - Гаэлю Клиши и Бакари Санья. Еще один плюс россиянина, по мнению Венгера, способность одинаково полезно действовать и на правом, и на левом краю. Минус же Янбаева в том, что у него не набирается 75 процентов выступлений за национальную команду за два последних года, что необходимо для получения разрешения на работу в Великобритании. Тем не менее многие коллективы премьер-лиги неоднократно решали подобный вопрос, так что он не должен стать препятствием возможному переходу.

Судя по всему, руководству красно-зеленых известно о варианте переезда в Лондон одного из ключевых исполнителей: как заявил в конце прошлой недели президент "Локо" Николай Наумов, сейчас рассматривается вариант аренды до конца сезона 23-летнего спартаковца Романа Шишкина - коллеги Янбаева по амплуа.

England international Joe Cole is set to turn down a lucrative deal with Arsenal to join Manchester United, according to reports in the UK press.


Joe Cole: Will consider his future after the World Cup finals

Cole was released by Chelsea earlier this month after failing to agree terms on a new six-figure contract and as a free agent will be one of the most high-profile free transfers this summer.

The Sun reports that Cole, 28, has told friends that Old Trafford is his favoured destination, despite previous reports that he would prefer to remain in London.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is known to be fan of Cole and the tricky winger's versatility would make him a perfect fit in a midfield that needs freshening up at Old Trafford.

Ferguson allowed Serbian winger Zoran Tosic to join CSKA Moscow last week, fuelling speculation that the Red Devils might be about to swoop for new signing.

Manager Arsène Wenger confirmed yesterday that defender William Gallas has indeed left the club as a free agent.

The club had been trying to renew the Frenchman's contract but failed to agree on terms, and with Gallas in South Africa any further contract negotiations were always going to be difficult.

Wenger commented that perhaps Gallas' uncertain future in the sport [not having a club yet] was playing on his mind during the prestigious tournament in South Africa, but couldn't be sure if this was the case.

He said: "I don't know if Gallas has been perturbed by his departure from Arsenal.

"I knew he wouldn't be at 100 per cent for this tournament. The question for the manager is to know if he should have called up Gallas while knowing he's not 100 per cent.

"He's played 35 minutes in four months before here.

"It's not enough to get into a competition like this. When you don't know where you are physically, a player is always fragile.

"Wiliam is a boy with great will, he's a winner. But he wants to do well so badly that sometimes he puts a lot of pressure on himself."

Arsenal Mania wishes William Gallas all the best in his future career with any club.

With several central defenders having followed Gallas out the door, Sol Campbell, Mikael Silvestre and Philippe Senderos have all left the club, it's important that Wenger signs a replacement to partner Thomas Vermaelen in central defence.

Wenger confirmed that a bid has been made for Lorient defender Laurent Koscielny.

He said: "There has been an approach for Koscielny and there still is one."

Negotiations are still ongoing, but barring the agreement of personal terms and a medical, Koscielny is expected to sign for us soon.

Manchester United will not be making a move for Joe Cole leaving the way clear for Arsenal and Spurs to fight it out over his signature


United had been strongly linked with Cole, who is available on a free transfer after seeing his contract run out at Chelsea, but most of that reported interest appears to have come from the Cole end.
Due to a season of injuries and his high wage demands United have now indicated they have no interest in signing Cole.
Arsenal have always been interested in the 28-year-old and are now the favourites and Spurs, under his former manager Harry Redknapp, will also try to land him and, like the Gunners, have initiated talks with the player's representatives.

United had been favourites to land the player but due to a season of injuries and his high wage demands they have now indicated they have no interest in signing the England midfielder.
Arsenal have always been interested in the 28-year-old and are now the favourites for his signature but Spurs under his former boss Harry Redknapp will also be interested in trying to land him and, like the Gunners, have initiated talks with the players representatives.