Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Laurent Koscielny, Michy Batshuayi Rumours
Star defender Laurent Koscielny has pledged his allegiance to Arsenal, saying he has “no reason to leave” amid transfer rumours linking him with La Liga giants Real Madrid.
According to the Daily Mail's Simon Jones, Koscielny emerged as a shock target for Los Blancos during the summer, but a move never looked likely.
And the France international doesn't see why he would leave north London anytime soon, as he told Arsenal Magazine (h/t Daily Star's Chisanga Malata): "I have everything to be happy here. I have no reason to leave. At the end of my current contract, I will be one year away from my testimonial! Imagine a testimonial at the Emirates. It would be amazing!”
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The 30-year-old has been Arsenal's defensive rock since joining the club from Lorient in 2010 and has appeared in at least 25 Premier League fixtures every season he's been with the Gunners, per WhoScored.com.
This season, he's been his usual dominant self, and he has been at the top of Sky Sports' Premier League player power rankings for several weeks. Arsenal have conceded just nine goals in the league this season, the second-lowest mark in England's top division and a big reason why they sit at the top of the standings, along with Manchester City.
Given his consistency and durability, it's a surprise Koscielny's name doesn't pop up in transfer rumours more often. Other top players are constantly subjected to speculation regarding their futures, but with Koscielny, that isn't the case.
Perhaps it's because he has never looked likely to leave the Gunners since he came to England. He's by far Arsenal's best defender and a key component of the squad that's looking for its first Premier League title since the Invincibles. Unless he openly requests a move away from the club, one has to assume manager Arsene Wenger won't even consider selling him.
Koscielny has the chance to become a club legend if he stays with the Gunners for a few more years and Arsenal manage to finally win the Premier League title.
The club has had some iconic defenders like Sol Campbell and Tony Adams, and while he may never reach the lofty heights those players did, there's no reason to believe he can't come close.
Valencia In for Michy Batshuayi
No player has seen his stock on the transfer market rise more than Marseille's Michy Batshuayi this season, who has been the topic of endless speculation after his spectacular start to the Ligue 1 campaign.
Tutto Mercato Web (h/t Squawka's Jeorge Bird) claim Valencia have joined the race to land the Belgian's signature, joining a group that reportedly also includes Arsenal, per Calciomercato (h/t Metro's Will Giles).
According to Sport Witness, more and more clubs will join said list:
The 22-year-old striker has already scored eight goals and added three assists in 12 Ligue 1 starts this season, per WhoScored.com. He carried his hot form into the international break, scoring against Italy in Belgium's 3-1 friendly.
Athletic, powerful and with an eye for goals, Batshuayi is but the latest in a long line of talented forward to come from Belgium, and he may have even more potential than the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Christian Benteke or Divock Origi.
He's long been touted as a potential superstar, but his career hit a bit of a speed bump when he was dismissed from Anderlecht's vaunted academy as a teenager. Per Belgian football expert John Chapman, there were some character concerns in the past:
He seems to have outgrown those attitude concerns, however, keeping his nose clean since leaving Standard for Marseille. And now that he's finally living up to his enormous potential, the sky seems to be the limit for Batshuayi.
His goal against Italy was his second in two appearances for Belgium, and so far, he hasn't seen that many opportunities to impress with the Red Devils. That may have something to do with the fact he plays in the weaker Ligue 1, where his main competitors for the starting position all play in the Premier League.
That may be reason enough to consider a transfer to Arsenal, although Batshuayi's entourage is likely to discourage him. He has only just become a regular starter, and given his past issues, what he needs most is stability and the chance to develop at his own pace in an environment he's familiar and comfortable with.
He would make for a superb signing, however, and if the Gunners offer enough cash, they may just be able to sign Belgium's latest superstar.
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