Arsenal are increasingly confident of reaching an agreement with 18-year old attacker Ethan Nwaneri over a new contract.
Nwaneri, 18, enjoyed a fine breakout campaign for the Gunners last season as he scored nine goals in 37 appearances across all competitions.
However, there had been speculation that could leave Mikel Arteta’s side as his existing deal was set to expire next summer.
But Arsenal hope they can convince the player to stay by offering him a five-year contract – or a four-year deal with an option for a further year to be included.
While it is claimed that no concrete breakthrough has been made, Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are said to remain positive that an agreement can be reached.
There is also said to be a desire between both Arsenal and Nwaneri for common ground to be found.
Arsenal are primed to formally offer star young midfielder Ethan Nwaneri a new contract
Mikel Arteta is looking to keep his latest Hale End graduate at the club on a long-term basis
Should that be the case – and Nwaneri were to end up signing a new contract – he would be the latest Arsenal player to commit their long-term future to the club.
They have already seen fellow youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly sign a new contract that will keep him at the club until 2030.
His fellow defender Gabriel has also put pen to paper on a new deal that will see him stay in N5 until 2029.
Elsewhere, Arsenal have been busy in looking to bolster their ranks ahead of the upcoming season.
They are reportedly inching closer to signing Noni Madueke from London rivals Chelsea – having already brought in Kepa Arrizabalaga from the Blues as an understudy to No 1 goalkeeper David Raya.
Arsenal are also reportedly close to completing a deal for Sporting Lisbon forward Viktor Gyokeres after months of speculation over whether or not they would sign a striker.
The Athletic reported the breakthrough on Sunday afternoon in news that will come as a huge boost to Gunners fans ahead of the new season.
Arsenal are reportedly inching closer to signing Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres
The Swedish international has been heavily linked with a move to north London
The publication noted how talks over Gyokeres’ switch from Lisbon to north London had been elongated by Sporting president Frederico Varandas holding out for a fee of an initial £55m, with a further £7.4m in add-ons
However, Arsenal now appear to have met a valuation that paves the way for Gyokeres to move to the Emirates Stadium.
That would come as a boost to Mikel Arteta, who appears keen to settle in his new signings before the start of the Premier League season.
Gyokeres, 27, failed to report for his current club’s pre-season training this week, despite Sporting having granted him an extended summer break until Saturday, July 12.
