Francis Coquelin leaves Arsenal for Valencia in £10.8m deal

Valencia beat West Ham to the midfielder with Coquelin excited about the project under Marcelino at Mestalla

Francis Coquelin has joined Valencia on a four-and-a-half year deal (Getty)

Valencia have announced the signing of Francis Coquelin from Arsenal in a £10.8m deal.

The 26-year-old midfielder was wanted by Premier League clubs and, in particular, West Ham who made a big push to sign the former France Under-21 international.

But Valencia's interest was made known over the weekend and Coquelin is excited about the project under Marcelino at Mestalla.

Coquelin has penned a four-and-a-half year deal with an €80m release clause and is delighted to get on board.

“I am very happy, it is a big challenge, it is the start of a new life for me, therefore I am very excited about it," he said.

Coquelin arrived at Arsenal from French side Laval in 2008 and went on to make 160 first-team appearances. The combative midfielder spent several loan spells away from the Gunners before establishing himself as an integral part of a Arsene Wenger side which won the FA Cup in both 2015 and 2017.

After years of cycling through coaches and falling down La Liga's pecking order, Valencia have enjoyed a resurgence under the former Villarreal boss and are currently third at the halfway stage of the season. An eight-point buffer to fifth-placed Sevilla has them in a good position for Champions League qualification next year and that was a huge draw to Coquelin, who has struggled for games this season.