FC Lorient are waiting for a response from Arsène Wenger after submitting their re-negotiated terms for the transfer of Laurent Koscielny. A preliminary deal as agreed on Monday, as revealed by Young Guns, after a meeting with the players agent and President Loïc Féry. However, the terms of the payment structure and a possible youth link up are awaiting the green light from Wenger.

The transfer has been held up due to the Frenchman’s television commitments. Lorient are refusing to release the player until both parties can confirm the minor details, and with Les Merlus returning for pre-season training on Monday, Féry is keen to know a firm answer.

Koscielny’s agent Pierre Laurent confirmed the situation in an interview with Sport.co.uk.

“On Monday I had a meeting with Mr Féry, and he informed me that he has sent a new proposal to Arsenal and Arsene Wenger.”

“The fee was very similar, so it should be okay. I then spoke with Arsène (Wenger) but he has not got his BlackBerry with him, so he does not know the new proposal from FC Lorient. So, for the moment, we are waiting for confirmation from Arsenal and Arsène.”

A potential youth link up would come upon the conclusion of Francis Coquelin’s loan with Lorient. The Gunners are keen to see how he settles and what benefits can be gained from a regular spell in Ligue One, with potentially more promising youngsters heading to France and vice-versa.

Should an ampicable agreement be sealed, Arsenal looks set to have a strong long term relationship with the French outfit.

Everton have said centre-half Phil Jagielka is not for sale and have turned down an £8m offer from Arsenal.


Boss David Moyes is looking to add to his squad this summer rather than lose any of his best players and he would be very reluctant to see Jagielka depart as the former Sheffield United ace is vital to his plans.
Arsenal have released William Gallas - who is set to join Juventus - Mikael Silvestre and Philippe Senderos, who has joined Fulham, and they are desperate to add new defenders to their back line.
Moyes is in no hurry to allow Jagielka to leave the club and he will also now be anxious to try and secure the future of Steven Pienaar's who's own World Cup is now over.

Arsenal are set to make another bid for Mark Schwarzer and this time Fulham are likely to accept a £3.5m offer for the player.


Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is keen on the 37-year-old Australian and tried to land him at the end of the season when an offer of £3m was turned down but he is now ready to go back with a little more cash.
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson would like to keep the Aussie but £3.5m for a player who is already 37 is the sort of deal the club would find very difficult to turn down.
A deal for Schwarzer is likely go through sooner rather than later now his and Australia's World Cup is over.