Promising defender set to agree Arsenal move

Lorient coach Christian Gourcuff has admitted he expects Laurent Koscielny to join Arsenal this summer.

Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed an approach for the 24-year-old centre-back.

Koscielny is still under contract with the Ligue 1 side but they could be forced to let him move to England if Arsenal meet their asking price.

Lorient picked Koscielny up from second division side Tours FC last summer and Gourcuff is readying himself to go scouring the lower leagues again.

"Laurent will leave," Gourcuff told L'Equipe.

"If Arsenal really want him, they will pay the right fee.

"To replace him we will do what we're used to doing - even if the transfer fee will not be re-invested on a new central defender."

Lorient could also see Arnold Mvuemba move on with this summer.

They hope to agree a new deal with the 25-year-old midfielder, who is now a free agent, but he has also been attracting interest from Bordeaux, Monaco and Paris St Germain.

But Gourcuff has already begun to compensate for the loss of Koscielny with Arsenal youngster Francis Coquelin set to join Lorient on loan.

The France Under-19 international will have medical before putting pen to paper with Les Merlus, who resume training on Monday.