Valencia agree £12m Francis Coquelin fee with Arsenal

By Greg Grimes

Image: Francis Coquelin has been at Arsenal for almost a decade after signing in July 2008

Valencia have agreed a £12m fee with Arsenal for the transfer of midfielder Francis Coquelin, Sky Sports News understands.

The 26-year-old prepares to move to Spain after rejecting interest from Premier League clubs West Ham United and Crystal Palace.

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The French midfielder has been at Arsenal for almost a decade but appearances in the first team this season have been limited with just seven starts in all competitions.

When quizzed about Coquelin's future on Tuesday, manager Arsene Wenger said: "It's a possibility [Coquelin's departure] but nothing is decided."

The midfielder made his debut for Arsenal in 2008 having signed from French club Stade Lavallois that summer.

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Loan spells at Lorient, Freiburg and Charlton followed before Coquelin broke into the Arsenal first team on a regular basis in the 2014/15 season.

Image: Jack Wilshere has re-emerged as Arsenal's first choice central midfielder alongside Granit Xhaka

Coquelin won two FA Cups with the club appearing in the 2015 and 2017 finals but the re-emergence of Jack Wilshere as well as competition from Aaron Ramsey, Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny has forced Coquelin to seek a move abroad.

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Arsenal are expected to open contract discussions with Wilshere in the next week with the England midfielder's deal coming to an end in June.

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