Arsenal transfer news: Laurent Koscielny ‘informs French club’s president that he wants to leave Gunners’
Defender is under contract at the Emirates until 2020 but Lorient chief says the star informed him last week of his desire to go back to the Ligue 1 side
LAURENT KOSCIELNY has reportedly told former club Lorient he wants to leave Arsenal to return to the French side.
The defender has been at the Gunners since 2010 and has become one of the first names on Arsene Wenger's teamsheet due to his displays at the back.
However, the 32-year-old has no desire to stick around in North London for the rest of his career, and it appears he already has his exit planned out.
At least that is according to Lorient president Loic Fery, who claims Koscielny informed him of his desire to head home despite being under contract at the Emirates until 2020.
Fery told Canal+ Sport: "He told me last week in London that he wanted to finish his career at Lorient."
Koscielny has been a major player for Arsenal over the past couple of seasons in what has been a rocky period for the club.
The vice-captain has helped them to three FA Cup victories, but they have failed to mount a serious title challenge.
And last year they missed out on qualification for the Champions League.
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However, the day Koscielny departs will be a sad one for the Gunners faithful - although Fery does not think it will happen any time soon.
He added: "I hope he has a few more years playing at Arsenal."
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Koscielny spent just one season at Lorient before he was snapped up by Wenger.
He joined them back in 2009 but made only 40 appearances before he moved to England.
Since then he has appeared over 300 times for Arsenal, marking his landmark treble century in the recent victory over Tottenham in the North London derby.