Talks between Arsenal and Laurent Koscielny, 30, over a new contract have stalled amid growing interest from Bayern Munich.
The Bundesliga giants have been watching the French international for several seasons having been impressed by his performances when the two sides met in the Champions League in 2013. Koscielny led a makeshift Gunners side to a 2–0 victory in the Allianz Arena, giving Bayern an uncomfortable away goals aggregate triumph in the Round of Sixteen.
Koscielny was a pivotal member of the French team in this summer’s Euro 2016. His performances were highly praised in the media although he was held culpable in some quarters for failing to stop Eder’s winner for Portugal in the final.
Arsene Wenger is keen to hold onto his centre back with Gabriel, 25, struggling to adjust to Premier League football. The Brazilian’s progress is hampered by a poor grasp of English and the Arsenal manager is becoming increasingly reliant upon Koscielny to guide the younger player through this time.
Koscielny is seeking a significant pay increase on his current contract with the north London club so far unwilling to meet his £90,000 per week demands. It would bring him close to the top of the Arsenal pay scale and judging by his ever-growing importance for club and country, a sum he should be commanding.
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