Arsenal Transfer News: Morgan Schneiderlin Latest, Laurent Koscielny Rumours

Arsenal supporters’ long wait for a quality defensive midfielder could finally come to an end this summer, with reports suggesting that Southampton are willing to let Morgan Schneiderlin leave the club.

That’s according to Sami Mokbel of the MailOnline, who claims that the Frenchman will be targeted by the Gunners, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in the window after being given the “all clear” to leave Saints. The piece claims that Schneiderlin will be available for a fee of £24 million.

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Mokbel writes that Arsenal are reluctant to meet that valuation. But they shouldn't be.

Admittedly, Francis Coquelin came into the side and did an admirable job at the heart of the Gunners’ midfield last season, proving he’s a decent option in that role. But Schneiderlin is a class above his compatriot.

As we can see here courtesy of Squawka Football, the Frenchman’s combativeness would give Arsenal some overdue tenacity:

It’s the kind of fortitude that has long been scarce in this area of the team, and these deficiencies at the back have often cost the Gunners in pursuit of Premier League and Champions League honours. But at last it seems as though manager Arsene Wenger is finally addressing the areas of the squad that have often been left to fester.

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As noted by Sky Sports, Petr Cech is apparently on the brink of joining the Gunners, and he would banish the long-standing problems in the goalkeeping position; if Schneiderlin joins too, this Arsenal side could have a formidable look to it next season, as we can see here courtesy of Betfect:

Schneiderlin just looks like an Arsenal player. Yes, his tackling and acute reading of the game would add a defensive sturdiness to the Gunners, but the 25-year-old’s ability to set up attacks with incisive forward passes and his propensity to carry the ball himself are traits that would have endeared him to Wenger.

If the trio of sides aforementioned are the only ones interested in Schneiderlin, the Emirates looks like the midfielder's most likely destination. With Cech between the sticks and the Frenchman knitting things together at the heart of the midfield, the Emirates faithful really could start readying themselves for a title tilt.

Real Madrid Chasing Laurent Koscielny

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One potential problem for the Gunners as they bid to build a title-winning side is reported interest in Real Madrid for Laurent Koscielny.

Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror writes that with talks between the Spanish giants and Sergio Ramos breaking down, Los Blancos are ready to test Arsenal’s resolve for the centre-back with a bid of £21 million.

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Arsenal supporter and football journalist SamuelJayC clearly doesn’t think too much of that offer:

If Ramos was to leave, then Koscielny would be a brilliant replacement. Like the Spaniard, the 29-year-old is an all-round centre-back, possessing inherent defensive skills, a powerful somatotype and composure when carrying the ball out of defence and into midfield.

Here’s how the two defenders fared in direct comparison in league matches last season:

	Koscielny	Ramos
Apps (Sub)	26 (1)	27
Goals	3	4
Tackles per Game	1.3	1.7
Interceptions per Game	3.5	2.4
Blocks per Game	5.9	3.9
Clearances per Game	0.7	0.8
Aerial Duels Won per Game	3.2	3.1
Passing Accuracy	88.9%	90%

It’d be a major surprise if Arsenal were to sell. Koscielny is arguably the Gunners’ most important player and, subsequently, £21 million would not be enough to prise the Frenchman away from the Emirates. Indeed, signing Cech and Schneiderlin before selling the centre-back would be two steps forward and a big leap backward.

Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell took a look at some players who could be on their way out of the Emirates this summer:

Although, when Real Madrid come calling, any player is going to have their head turned. Granted, the Londoners are likely to reject any initial offer out of hand given Koscielny’s importance, but if Los Blancos do see the Arsenal star as Ramos’ successor, they won’t be knocked off the scent easily.