Laurent Koscielny is attempting to force through a move away from Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Laurent Koscielny has agreed personal terms with Rennes as he continues to push for a move away from Arsenal this summer.

Frenchman Koscielny has made over 350 appearances for Arsenal since joining the club from Lorient in 2010 and was made club captain following the retirement of Per Mertesacker last year.

Despite holding that position, the defender refused to travel with Arsenal on their pre-season tour of the United States, opting instead to remain in London to force through a summer transfer.

Koscielny has his heart set on a return to France, with Bordeaux, Rennes and Lyon among the clubs said to be interested in securing his services over the coming weeks.




According to French outlet RMC, Rennes are in the driving seat to sign Koscielny after agreeing personal terms with the 33-year-old over a summer switch.

Rennes finished tenth in Ligue 1 last season and are coached by the highly-rated Julien Stéphan.

The situation has left Arsenal shocked and furious as club captain Koscielny still has a year left on his current contract.

Former boss Arsene Wenger, who signed Koscielny almost a decade ago, admits he is ‘very surprised’ by the situation unfolding in north London.

Unai Emery with Arsenal defender Koscielny (Picture: Getty)

‘I am very surprised by the current situation,’ Wenger told L’Equipe.

‘I do not know the whole story, but Laurent’s behaviour with me has always been beyond reproach. I think highly of Laurent as a man.’

Current manager Unai Emery, meanwhile, says three players are in with a chance of being named as the next Arsenal captain.

Even if Koscielny fails to force through a summer move, he will likely be stripped of the captaincy before the start of next season.

Emery said: ‘We spoke a little about that. Last year we had Laurent, Petr Cech and Aaron Ramsey.

‘At the moment Koscielny has a contract with us but we’ll speak with the club and him about if he will continue or not.

‘We have players with the capacity [to be captain], one is Granit, he was a captain in the dressing room. We have others like Mesut, Nacho.

‘There are other players who can take this position also. I want between three and five captains in the team.’

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