Barcelona eyeing winter move for experienced Arsenal defender

Barcelona are reportedly considering an approach for Arsenal club-captain Laurent Koscielny when the transfer window reopens in a couple of months' time.

The Catalans are currently going through a central defensive crisis with both Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen on the sidelines and this has left Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet as the only senior options at their disposal.

As such, they has been linked with a number of elite centre-backs from across Europe but according to Marca, they would rather prefer a replacement on a cut-price deal.

It is added that Gunners skipper Laurent Koscielny is among those under consideration as he fits the bill of providing experience and being a cheaper option for the January transfer window.

Should a deal go through, Barca are seemingly prepared to offer the Frenchman with a short-term contract until next summer with the option of an additional year.

Koscielny is currently on a rehabilitation programme after his return from a serious Achilles injury but his prospects of returning to the first XI appear far from certain.

Rob Holding has been impressive under the guidance of Unai Emery this campaign and the Englishman has recently cemented a regular role alongside Shkodran Mustafi at the heart of the defence.