Laurent Koscielny ‘forced to quit’ Arsenal this summer and become first victim of club’s new hardline transfer policy
Gunners are stalling on a new deal for their skipper, who is more and more tempted by the prospect of a fresh challenge
ARSENAL skipper Laurent Koscielny could LEAVE the Emirates this summer as the club's new hardline transfer policy comes into force.
The Gunners want to avoid losing more of their stars for nothing and will sell players with expiring contracts.
According to L'Equipe, Koscielny, 33, is seriously considering his options after talks over a new deal with Arsenal have stalled.
The idea of a fresh challenge is reportedly "more and more tempting" for the French centre-back.
Bayer Leverkusen are understood to be in the driving seat for his signature, while Rennes and AC Milan have also reached out to the defender's camp.
The Gunners hero, who joined from Lorient in 2010, is set to play his 405th game for the club in the Europa League final against Chelsea on May 29.
Koscielny - currently tied down until 2020 - could become the first victim of Arsenal's new, radical approach towards stars with expiring contracts.
The club are now set to sell players if they fail to agree a new deal to prevent another Aaron Ramsey-like transfer saga.
The Welshman is joining Juventus on a free this summer after failing to reach an agreement with Arsenal over a contract extension.
The Gunners have been in such a situation before with Alexis Sanchez, Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck all running down their contracts in recent years.
Apart from Koscielny, eight first-team stars have two years or less on their current deals - including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil.
LET'S BE BRAVE
Managing director Vinai Venkatesham has recently announced the change in the club's transfer policy.
He said: "We need to be really disciplined when we are dealing with senior players who are not towards the end of their careers.
"So that means we have to start making the difficult decisions when they have two years left on the contracts.
"We're either going to renew those contracts or we're going to be selling them."
Venkatesham added: "We're going to have to be brave in those decisions.
"We can't be in a situation where we're allowing players to walk out of the door for free unless they are coming towards the end of their careers."