Arsenal target Phil Jagielka

Arsenal have had an £8m bid turned down for Everton's Phil Jagielka which has scared them off the Everton centre half.

That is why Gunners boss Wenger has now stepped up his attempts to sign French centre half Laurent Koscielny from Lorient.

Arsenal have had a £4m bid turned down, the French club want £8m but Wenger's decision to loan French under-21 starlet Francis Coquelin, 18, to Lorient is designed to ease the move.

Wenger may yet sign two centre halves and is a long term admirer of Jagielka but Everton have told Arsenal that he is not for sale.

Arsenal have released William Gallas - who is set to join Juventus - Mikael Silvestre and Philippe Senderos has joined Fulham.

That leaves the Gunners with just Thomas Vermaelen and Johan Djourou as their senior centre halves while veteran Sol Campbell, 35, has been offered a new one-year deal.