Laurent Koscielny 'close' to new Arsenal deal

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny is reportedly on the verge of agreeing a new three-year deal with the club.

The 31-year-old, who joined the Gunners from Lorient in 2010, will put pen to paper on a contract keeping him at the Emirates until 2020 "in the next few days", according to L'Equipe.

The Frenchman has been in discussions over a new deal since the end of last year and is thought to have negotiated a significant pay rise that will put him just behind top earners Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil in the pecking order.

Should he see out his proposed new contract, Koscielny will become Arsenal's longest-serving French player, surpassing Patrick Vieira's nine years and Thierry Henry's eight-year stint.

Koscielny has featured 260 times for Arsenal in all competitions to date, winning two FA Cup trophies and two Community Shields.