Francis Coquelin is on the verge of joining Valencia after agreeing personal terms with the La Liga, according to reports in France.
Coquelin has been in talks with the Valencia ahead of a move during the January transfer window. The latest is that the midfielder has now agreed personal terms with the Spanish side.
Breaking | Arsenal defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin has agreed personal terms with Valencia, rejecting West Ham in the process https://t.co/iW9187oSHo
— Get French Football (@GFFN) January 10, 2018
It was originally reported that West Ham were the most keen to sign him, but a chance to compete for Champions League football next year has seemingly proved decisive.
Valencia are third in La Liga and are having one of their best seasons in many years. In fact, Coquelin could be making a step-up by leaving Arsenal, given our struggles for consistency this season.
It’d be quite something if the Frenchman ended up in the Champions League next season while Arsenal didn’t. He could be joining up with former teammate Gabriel, who left during the summer.
Like Gabriel, Coquelin has been a fringe player at the club and is looking for more first-team opportunities. The 26-year-old has made just a single start in the Premier League this season, which was at centre-back against Manchester City.