Francis Coquelin Transfers to Valencia from Arsenal

Valencia have completed the signing of midfielder Francis Coquelin, Arsenal announced on Thursday.

The news came after Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirmed the midfielder was headed out of the club.

Wenger told the press after Wednesday's Carabao Cup semi-final stalemate at Chelsea that Coquelin was on his way to the Mestalla Stadium: "He goes to Valencia. He didn't get enough games with us this season. He had an opportunity. I let him go."

Those comments came after Valencia tweeted earlier on Wednesday a picture of a suitcase with Coquelin's initials:

Simon Jones of MailOnline recently reported Valencia had agreed a £10.5 million deal to sign the midfielder, having initially proposed a loan before moving to a permanent transfer. West Ham United were also linked with an interest in the player.

French football journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi noted Coquelin had agreed a four-and-a-half-year contract, which will keep him in Spain until the summer of 2022:

Coquelin has left the Emirates Stadium after a nine-year spell in north London, having first joined Arsenal's academy from Stade Lavallois in 2008 and making his first-team debut in September that year.

The 26-year-old's first-team aspirations have taken a significant hit with the Gunners of late, though, following the 2016 arrival of central midfielder Granit Xhaka and the return to form of club favourite Jack Wilshere.

The Telegraph's Matt Law questioned whether Arsenal were letting the player leave for too little:

Wenger handed Coquelin just one Premier League start this season prior to his departure, although he did start in four of their UEFA Europa League group-stage fixtures.

Despite his Arsenal career ending on a low note, the former France under-21 international was highly valued among the squad for a time and impressed in particular upon returning from a loan spell at Charlton Athletic in December 2014.

He provided a much-needed presence in the engine room for the remainder of the 2014-15 campaign, but his importance again diminished over time, resulting in a permanent move away from the club.

Coquelin could turn out to be a worthy investment at a reported £10 million and has demonstrated some proficiency as a ball-winner in midfielder, and Valencia manager Marcelino Garcia Toral will be hoping the Frenchman's best will come in La Liga.