Emery loses Koscielny battle as defender jets to France for medical

Laurent Koscielny has travelled to France to have a medical at Bordeaux with a €5million deal close to completion, claim reports.

Get French Football News report that Koscielny is finally heading back to France and Goal have now claimed that the 33-year-old is close to sealing a move to the Ligue 1 side.

Koscielny, who still has one year left to run on his contract at Emirates Stadium, refused to go on tour with the Gunners and despite Unai Emery’s powers of persuasion, the centre-back is intent on leaving England for France.

Bordeaux and Rennes have been in contact with Arsenal over acquiring Koscielny – even though Emery has publicly stated he is still hopeful of keeping him.

The pair were struggling to meet the fee that Arsenal wanted for Koscielny, though, with Rennes specifically hoping they could get him on a free transfer.

Goal report that “Arsenal have reluctantly agreed a sale with Bordeaux” but with the player available for free next summer they will content to bank €5million for the player.

The same source also claim the Gunners are also holding talks regarding the potential departure of Carl Jenkinson.

Championship side Nottingham Forest are understood to be in for Jenkinson in a deal which could be worth £2million.

Forest are in the market for a new right-back after seeing Tendayi Darikwa suffer a knee ligament injury and the 27-year-old Jenkinson fits the bill as his replacement.