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Arsenal Boost: Boss Confirms ‘Big Offer’ Will Land Key £25m Target

By mac14 on April 10, 2015

Arsenal have received a boost with Southampton boss Ronald Koeman admitting they will be forced to sell Morgan Schneiderlin if a big offer comes in this summer.

Schneiderlin has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal in recent months with widespread reports suggesting he’s one of Arsene Wenger’s key summer transfer targets.

The French international pushed for a move last summer but his exit was blocked by Southampton as they had already sold a number of other important first team players.

However, it looks like the South Coast club won’t stand in his way this time around as Koeman has now confirmed that it will be up to the midfielder to decide his future and says he’s like to leave if a big offer comes in from a top club.

Koeman told reporters today:

“It will be hard when there is real interest in the player. It is up to the player what he likes to do.

“It is very hard but normally if we have the season like we have so far there will be interest in the players of Southampton.

“If he gets a big offer from a big team, there is always interest for the player and I understand that.

“That is normal, we know our level and that is a compliment for the players and the club.”

He doesn’t state what constitutes a ‘big offer’ but the Telegraph suggested earlier this month that £25m will be enough to persuade the Saints to cash-in, and that kind of money should be no problem for Arsenal these days.

It’s a big boost for Arsenal to hear Koeman acknowledge that they’re prepared to sell Schneiderlin this summer as this all-but confirms his exit from the club.

The 25-year-old went public with his desire to play for a Champions League club next season, when he said last month:

“In August, I wanted to take a move but the club had lost too many players to agree to sell me.

“Since then I have had discussions with the leaders and I want to play at the highest level: it is important at 25 years old to finally know the Champions League.

“Given that, late in the season, Southampton may qualify for the Champions League and I can stay, who knows. I have no desire to be in front of my TV on Tuesday and Wednesday.”

I’ve said many times that Schneiderlin is one player I’d love to see come to Arsenal and I think there’s a real possibility we’ll get him this summer.

The likes of Chelsea and Man Utd are also understood to be keen but hopefully our French manager and reputation for developing French players over the years will give us the edge.