Arsenal sign Francis Coquelin

According to reports from the French press, Arsenal have signed Francis Coquelin on a free transfer.

The 17-year-old French midfielder did not feature in the European Under-17 Championships due to injury and domestic media claim that he underwent a medical in London on Tuesday prior to the signing of a long-term contract with The Gunners.

Coquelin previously experienced a trial at Arsenal’s London Colney training grounds and it appears the former Laval player impressed fellow countryman Arsene Wenger.

A statement from his former club Laval – Ligue 2 – states that: “We are hearing here and there different destinations for different transfer fees.

“The truth of the moment it that Francis Coquelin is free.

“Nothing more links him with MFC, as a consequence his future club have no obligation to pay an education fee.”

The French media also claimed on Wednesday that two Ligue players, Samir Nasri from Marseille and Clement Chantome from Paris Saint Germain, are on Arsenal’s wish list.