Defender Laurent Koscielny is being targeted by German giants Bayern Munich, as the UEFA Champions League winners prepare for the arrival of former Barcelona manager, Pep Guardiola, for the new campaign.

Munich are in a world of their own, getting better with each game, be it the domestic league or the Champions League. The club won the domestic title this season with part of the season still remaining to be concluded.

The Gunners have had a crisis at the back this year, with their full backs getting injured on a regular basis. Ever since the departure of Gael Clichy to Manchester City, the club have struggled to fill in the left hand spot, as Kieran Gibbs was the only recognizable left-back so they added Nacho Monreal, with Andre Santos out on loan. Koscielny’s departure could mean a new lease of life for club captain Thomas Vermaelen, who has been deprived of first team football in the latter half of the season.

Munich have had Brazilian defender Dante and German defender Jerome Boateng as the first team center backs, but Koscielny’s physical strength could be an asset to the squad.

Koscielny began his senior career in France, where he represented local side Guingamp 41 times, before leaving for Tours, and finally Lorient. Arsene Wenger signed Koscielny from Lorient in 2010 for a fee in the region of £8-9 million. Koscielny was an unknown quantity to English football then.

The French international played 34 games in all competitions for Arsenal this season, scoring 4 goals. Koscielny has a knack of winning headers from corners, and his aerial domination is always a threat for the opposition.

According to the Daily Mail, the fee being talked about is in the region of £15 million, and could do a world of good to Arsenal ahead of a busy transfer window. With Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier already in their sights, Wenger could use the extra cash to buy quality attacking personnel. They have also been linked with Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic and Barcelona striker David Villa.