Laurent Koscielny refuses to travel on Arsenal’s pre-season tour

Arsenal club captain, Laurent Koscielny has refused to travel on their pre-season tour of the United States. The Gunners have confirmed the news and expressed their disappointment at his actions.

The French defender has just one year left on his current deal at the Emirates and is looking for a new long-term deal. However, the Gunners are reluctant to offer him a long term deal.

Koscielny has been asking for a mutual termination of his contract at Arsenal but the club are yet to make a decision on it. The defender is keen on leaving and signing a new long-term deal elsewhere.

Arsenal’s statement read:

“Laurent Koscielny has refused to travel to the US for our pre-season tour.

We are very disappointed by Laurent’s actions, which are against our clear instructions.

We hope to resolve this matter and will not be providing any further comment at this time.”

Reports suggest Ligue 1 sides, Bordeaux, Rennes and Lyon are interested in signing the defender this summer. BBC claim Bordeaux have already offered him a 3-year deal and Koscielny is keen on joining them.

Koscielny joined Arsenal in 2010 for a reported fee of £10M. He has played 353 times for the Gunners and won the FA Cup twice – in the 2013/14 and 2014/15 season.