Report: Arsenal open contract talks with Laurent Koscielny

Arsenal have reportedly opened talks with Laurent Koscielny over a new deal.

Arsene Wenger is said to have sanctioned the deal with a string of big clubs apparently interested in the defender.

According to the Daily Mail, Koscielny's improved terms will see his salary increase to around £90,000, bringing him in line with the second tier of earners at Arsenal including Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey.

Only manager Wenger and record signing Mesut Ozil earn significantly more than that figure.

The Gunners have been tying up senior players' contracts a lot recently, with Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky extending their deals a few months after Wojciech Szczesny earlier in the season.

It is thought that Koscielny's agent will meet with Arsenal this weekend to start negotiations.