LAURENT KOSCIELNY will snub Bayern Munich AND Barcelona to remain at Arsenal.
Koscielny’s agent, Stephane Courbois, had fuelled talk of a move by confirming that the defender is a summer target for Europe’s top clubs.
But the £15million-rated France international, 27, has now told Gunners boss Arsene Wenger he is happy at the Emirates and is not interested in leaving.
The in-demand centre-back, an £8.5m arrival from Lorient three years ago, was outstanding in the second half of last season as Arsenal claimed fourth spot.
And his desire to stay is a huge boost for fans who have become used to losing their top players, such as Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie, in recent summers.
Wenger is prepared to let club captain Thomas Vermaelen leave for the right price.
But he knows Koscielny — who has formed a strong partnership with Per Mertesacker — is a key player.
Wenger has £70m to spend and will this week put in an opening offer of £20m for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain.
Arsenal now seem to be the sole bidders for the 25-year-old but Real are demanding £25.5m and Wenger will not be willing to go that high.
It is likely the two clubs will meet in the middle — about £22m.
But the situation is complicated by the fact that the Spanish giants are unlikely to do business until they appoint a successor to Jose Mourinho, with Paris Saint-
Germain chief Carlo Ancelotti in the driving seat to take the job.
If Higuain does sign, he would become Arsenal’s club-record buy — smashing the £15m mark set by Andrey Arshavin’s arrival from Zenit St Petersburg in 2009.
Wenger is also reportedly leading the race to sign £10m-rated Asier Illarramendi, who will line up for Spain in tonight’s Euro Under-21 final against Italy in Israel.
The defensive midfielder, 23, has been in outstanding form after helping Real Sociedad qualify for the Champions League for the very first time.
As far as Wenger’s current squad is concerned, there have also been doubts over whether right-back Bacary Sagna will stay with the Gunners, as he is wanted by PSG.
But he seems increasingly likely to see out the final year of his contract before becoming a free agent next summer.
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