Barcelona and Bayern Munich have both made enquiries for the France
international and are prepared to offer him a bumper pay rise to move to
the continent while the Gunners have slapped a €23.5 million price tag
on the 27-year-old in an attempt to ward off interest from the two big
hitters.
, with a
growing acceptance among the Emirates Stadium hierarchy that they are
vulnerable if the centre-back pushes for a move.
"Laurent is part of a shortlist of two clubs," said Courbis. "Bayern or Barca have not contacted the player to discuss a possible transfer but I know that [he] is part of a shortlist of three or four players from both clubs."
Arsenal fear that Koscielny could be tempted by a big offer from either team. The 27-year-old has four years remaining on the £75,000-a-week contract that he signed last summer but the two continental giants could both offer him a salary worth more than £100,000 a week as well as a chance to play for two of Europe's elite clubs.
Koscielny caught the eye of Guardiola and Barcelona's top brass when Arsenal beat the recently crowned Spanish champions 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium in a first-leg Champions League tie in February 2011. He was also outstanding in the Gunners' 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena in the first knockout stage of this season's tournament.
"Laurent is part of a shortlist of two clubs," said Courbis. "Bayern or Barca have not contacted the player to discuss a possible transfer but I know that [he] is part of a shortlist of three or four players from both clubs."
Arsenal fear that Koscielny could be tempted by a big offer from either team. The 27-year-old has four years remaining on the £75,000-a-week contract that he signed last summer but the two continental giants could both offer him a salary worth more than £100,000 a week as well as a chance to play for two of Europe's elite clubs.
Koscielny caught the eye of Guardiola and Barcelona's top brass when Arsenal beat the recently crowned Spanish champions 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium in a first-leg Champions League tie in February 2011. He was also outstanding in the Gunners' 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena in the first knockout stage of this season's tournament.
The Gunners face a battle to hang on to their in-demand defender this
summer following enquiries from the two European giants for the €23.5
million-rated Frenchman
