Bayer Leverkusen is keen on getting Arsenal left-back, Sead Kolasinac, and they are set to hold talks with his representatives this week in order to work out a way to meet his wage demands.
The Bosnian has been considered to be surplus to requirement at the Emirate Stadium, with the availability of Kieran Tierney and Bukayo Saka as options in the left-back. Even Pablo Mari and Ainsley Maitland-Niles can slot into the position as emergency back-ups.
Arsenal is therefore open to offers for Kolasinac, who is also out of favour under Mikel Arteta. Arsenal is ready to sell him before the end of the transfer window next month.
The former Schalke defender, who joined the Gunners on a free transfer from the Bundesliga club has been linked with a move back to Germany.
Bayer Leverkusen strong favourite for Sead Kolasinac
Having been out of the pecking order at Arsenal, Kolasinac is open to a return to the Bundesliga this season.
Bayer Leverkusen is therefore in the hunt for his signature, knowing fully well what he can add to the team. The club has therefore emerged as the favourites to land the player in the coming weeks.
German magazine Sport Bild reports that Leverkusen has scheduled talks with the player’s entourage over the potential deal.
Arsenal wants €10m for the 27-year-old and the German club is believed to be ready to meet the asking price. They feel the fee is manageable judging by the transfer business they have done recently, with Kai Havertzmoving to Chelsea for 71m Pounds.
However, they will have to negotiate the defender’s €9m per year contract as they e keen to find a way around it.
With Arsenal’s demand ready to be met, the talks between Kolasinac’s representatives, and Leverkusen are expected to be centered on his wage demands.
Leverkusen will want to present a longer deal with staggering bonuses, which is expected to cover his full wages over the course of the contract.
The 27-year-old Bosnia did not feature in Arsenal’s opening Premier League game at Fulham. Arteta is willing to sell him sooner and get some cash that he might likely use to bring in a new player.
AS Roma and Schalke 04 are also interested in him, while the Serie A team is believed to have negotiated with Arsenal. They are currently looking for a replacement for Aleksandar Kolarov.
