According to The Sun, Arsenal could be set to lose defensive stalwart Laurent Koscielny to Marseille this summer.

What’s the Word?

Following Arsenal’s failure to qualify for the Champions League, Marseille are reportedly ready to offer Laurent Koscielny a chance to return to France.

However, with three years still to run on the 31-year-old’s contract, it is thought that only a bid in the region of £30million would convince Arsenal to enter discussions with the French club.

Following a takeover at the end of 2016, Marseille are ready to spend big in the summer and consider Koscielny their number one transfer target.

How good has Koscielny been this season?

For a number of years, the 44-cap France international has been Arsenal’s best defender, and this season has been no different.

An ever-present at the heart of the Gunners defence, Koscielny often looked the only man willing to put his body on the line for the club in a really disastrous Premier League campaign for Arsenal.

The Frenchman played 41 times in all competitions and held the captain’s armband for much of the campaign, after Per Mertesacker spent a number of months on the sidelines.

Should Arsenal let Koscielny leave?

While it may seem a foolish decision for a poor defensive team to let their best defender leave the club, Laurent Koscielny’s age must be taken into account. Many clubs would find it hard to turn down a £30million bid for a 31-year-old whose career may begin to decline imminently due to age.

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