Marca don’t seem entirely sure how much Arsenal want Florian Lejeune. The Spanish newspaper state the player is ‘set’ for Arsenal and then that he’s ‘on their agenda’ and Arsenal are ‘considering the possibility’ of paying the player’s release clause.
Arsenal are said to have been watching the player for several months, sending scouts to check on his progress at Eibar.
Then Marca ramp things up, claiming the defender is Arsenal’s ‘first option’ to sort out their problems in defence, and that Arsene Wenger has ‘already given the nod’ to sign the player who is dubbed the next Laurent Koscielny. Then it’s pointed out that Wenger’s Arsenal future is under question following the club’s Champions League exit.
It’s all quite confused. The gist of seems to be: Lejeune is French, Arsenal sign French players, we can label him the next Koscielny… et voilà.
There could be truth in Wenger watching the defender, the manager does have a liking for French players and Lejeune is having a good season.
Perhaps Lejuene is trying too hard to emulate Koscielny, having been sent off after 46 minutes against Real Sociedad recently.
Florian Lejeune signed for Eibar last summer for €1.5m from Manchester City. He had been on loan at Girona after Manchester City bought him from the Spanish club for around £225k before sending him straight back. Curious to say the least.
The 25 year old is right footed and can play in central defence or defensive midfield. His release clause is between €8m and €10m according to Marca.
