Arsenal Made Improved £8m Bid for Laurent Koscielny

With Joe Cole reportedly being very close to a move to Arsenal after the World Cup, Arsenal has now turned their focus to defense. Gunners have reportedly made an improved £8 million bid for the Lorient centre back Laurent Koscielny.

Manager Arsene Wenger is now expecting a response from the French club Lorient by Thursday before he flies to South Africa to attend the World Cup Football 2010. The North London club earlier offered £6 million to acquire the service of the player, but his club rejected it.

Laurent Koscielny is eagerly waiting to make a move to Premier League after playing a season for Lorient. The 24-year-old earlier played for Tours FC and En Avant de Guingamp.

So, it is clear that his background is not very rich and some people may question Wenger’s interest in the player. However, Arsene Wenger is well-known for his ability to pick up talents and bring the best out of the players. Henry and Fabregas are the most notable examples.

Arsene Wenger has already landed a striker in Marouane Chamakh, while Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole is heavily linked with a move to Arsenal. Now, if Laurent Koscielny finally joins the Gunners, Wenger would be left with just one more signing: a goalkeeper.

Following some poor performances from Manuel Almunia and Łukasz Fabiański last season, Wenger is now in search of goalkeeper in the Summer transfer market. A number of goalkeepers including Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon have been linked with a move to Arsenal.

Laurent Koscielny’s arrival at the Emirates could accelerate the departure of former captain William Gallas. Koscielny is believed to have agreed a four-year deal with Arsenal, but has to wait until Lorient steps up to negotiate with the Gunners.