Arsenal transfer news: Laurent Koscielny ‘in talks with Marseille over sensational return to Ligue 1 this summer’
Ambitious French outfit are hoping to challenge for the title next season under new ownership
ARSENAL star Laurent Koscielny is in talks with Marseille over a shock return to Ligue 1 this summer, according to reports.
The French outfit have been taken over by American businessman Frank McCourt and are looking to challenge for the title next term.
And according to , ambitious Marseille are in "active discussions" to try and prise one of the Gunners' key men.
Koscielny, 31, joined Arsenal from Lorient in 2010 and has been the stand-out performer in their back-four since.
Marseille, who finished fifth this season, have already re-signed Dimitri Payet from West Ham in a £25million deal in January.
Koscielny is contracted at the Emirates until 2020 and has played down talk of a summer exit.
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He said: "I have read between the lines, people have often talked to me about it. There's nothing concrete.
"I have told my representatives to not talk to me about it, because I'm focused on the end of the season with Arsenal. That's the minimum of respect I could have for the club."
The Frenchman added: "It could be something I'd like to do to come back to France, but there are a lot of questions, because it's not easy to go back after seven years at a club like Arsenal.
"It'll be choices but outside of football, choices of life, that will be important for the next stage of my career."
Koscielny will be hoping he can help Arsenal clinch fourth place by beating Everton at home today.
The Gunners need at least a point - and a higher goal difference than Liverpool - while hoping the Reds slip up.
Certain results could mean Arsenal and the Anfield outfit could face each other in a first ever Premier League Champions League play-off.