Arsenal have reportedly cooled down their interest in Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin due to the emergence of Francis Coquelin in the second half of the season.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had been keen to sign the French international last summer, but the Saints had refused to sell, due to them having already let go of several big names.
The North London club reignited their interest in Schneiderlin in the January transfer window, but Southampton again refused to do business with the Gunners, saying that they would not be selling any of their players in the middle of the season.
Arsenal were again expected to renew interest in the Frenchman this summer, but according to the Daily Mirror, Wenger wants Schneiderlin due to Coquelin managing to impress in the defensive midfield position.
Coquelin, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Charlton Athletic, was recalled to the Emirates in December due to Arsenal facing a lot of injury problems at the time.
Although the 23-year-old was just expected to be a temporary filler in the central/defensive midfield position, he proved to be very impressive, and this resulted in him retaining his place in the first team even after the other players returned from injuries.
And Wenger has reportedly cooled down his interest in Schneiderlin as he reportedly feels that Coquelin could be a "long-term solution" to the Gunners' central/defensive midfield issues.
However, even if Arsenal no longer needs Schneiderlin, the midfielder is keen to make a move out of Southampton so that he can get a chance to play in the Champions League.
"I no longer want to be in front of my TV every Tuesday and Wednesday," the midfielder had said last month, according to the Metro. "In August, I wanted to progress my career but the club had let too many players go to sell me."
"Since then, I have had talks with the directors and I want to play at a higher level. It is important, at 25-years-old, to finally play in the Champions League."
