Francis Coquelin edges closer to Arsenal exit as Valencia propose loan spell ahead of £10.5m summer move

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Valencia have proposed a £2.6million loan fee for Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin and will try to make the deal permanent for £10.5million in the summer.

The deal has been structured to navigate the club's Financial Fair Play requirements and Valencia believe Coquelin is keen to join.

Valencia are third in La Liga, five points ahead of Real Madrid, and the move would give Coquelin a shot at Champions League football next season.

Francis Coquelin is edging closer to the exit door at Arsenal, with Valencia interested

Arsene Wenger may decide to let the midfielder go, potentially on loan to begin with

He has fallen down the pecking order at Arsenal - not helped by the revival of Jack Wilshere - and is looking elsewhere in the transfer window.

The Frenchman has suitors in England too, with West Ham and Crystal Palace both in the race to sign the 26-year-old.

Coquelin joined the Arsenal academy back in 2008, and has since made 159 appearances for the Gunners in his career.

If the loan move to Valencia goes through, it would be his fourth temporary spell away from the Emirates, following time at Lorient, Freiburg and Charlton.  

Coquelin has played 159 times for the Gunners in his career but could soon be heading out

The re-emergence of Jack Wilshere at the Emirates has left Coquelin in a precarious position