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Italians Make Late Approach For Arsenal Midfielder Francis Coquelin

By on February 2, 2015
Francis Coquelin-Arsenal

Image: Express

According to reports in Italy, Napoli have made a last ditch approach to try and sign Francis Coquelin but Arsenal knocked them back.

Coquelin is in the final six months of his contract so is free to hold talks with foreign clubs about a free transfer move at the end of the season.

But Sky Italia journalist Gianluca Di Marzio is claiming that Napoli wanted to take the French midfielder to Italy this month and sporting director Riccardo Bigon supposedly made contact with Arsenal today to try and do a late deal.

However, thankfully we turned down their advances and Di Marzio says we made it clear to Rafa Benitez’s side that Coquelin is set to sign a new deal to keep him at the Emirates.

It would have been a huge mistake to cash-in on the 23-year-old or allow him to leave this month as he’s become an important part of our midfield since returning from his loan at Charlton.

The sooner we can get Coquelin tied-down to an extension the better as he now has the opportunity to stake a real claim to be our holding midfielder over the long-term if he continues to impress during the second half of the campaign.

He’s already way ahead of Flamini and with Arteta out injured for the foreseeable future, Coquelin is likely to get an extended run in the first team and I hope he makes the DM role his own.