Arsenal skipper Laurent Koscielny is considering taking legal action against his club in the latest development in the ongoing row following the Frenchman’s decision to excuse himself from the club’s pre-season preparations in the United States, according to reports from the Daily Mirror.
Last week, Koscielny refused to travel with his teammates to the US and is expected to face disciplinary action from the club, who released a statement expressing their disappointment at their player’s actions.
The reasoning behind the defender’s refusal to take part in The Gunners’ pre-season programme has been unclear, although The Daily Mirror are now reporting the 33-year-old has claimed that he is set to have his wages cut by 50% – prompting the centre-back to seek legal advice on the matter, with Koscielny said to be angry with negotiations over a new deal – which would extend his contract that expires next summer.
Despite the club reportedly claiming talk of a pay cut for Koscielny is not the case with regards to a new deal, The Daily Mirror reports that Koscielny is seeking a move away after not being granted an extra year to his current contract.
The report also claims that Bordeaux and Lyon are keen to grant Koscielny’s wish to return to France – with the former said to have offered a contract to the defender, but only on the basis that he is a free agent.
It goes on to state that Koscielny feels the structure of Arsenal’s proposed deal halves his basic wage, and with no resolution forthcoming, the Gunners captain is set to force a move away.
Koscielny was due to enter his tenth season as an Arsenal player, having joined from Lorient in 2010 – but with no agreement reached on his future, his days as a Gunner seem numbered amid talk back home linking him with a Ligue 1 switch.
Arsenal were quick to reprimand their captain for his actions, but no news of punishment so far could suggest The Gunners are hopeful of an amicable agreement being reached.
Either way, while Koscielny refuses to work with the first team, it seems unlikely he will be available for the start of the season and therefore may leave the club with no choice but to reassign the armband and move their player on.
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