An Arsenal star is reportedly edging closer to signing a new contract with the club after talks over a deal progressed.
There had been speculation that the player in question would leave the club this summer due to potential uncertainty about his playing time.
However, Mikel Arteta appears to have made positive steps in convincing one of his key squad members to remain at the Emirates Stadium.
An update has now been posted over the player’s future by Fabrizio Romano, which indicates that he will remain in north London.
The individual had a breakout campaign for the Gunners last season, scoring nine goals in 37 appearances across all competitions.
Owing to injuries across Arsenal’s forward line for much of the 2024-25 campaign, he was able to feature increasingly regularly in Arteta’s plans.
Ethan Nwaneri enjoyed a fine first full campaign in Arsenal colours, having been tipped for big things ever since Arteta made the youngest-ever Premier League debutant at the age of just 15 years and 181 days in September 2022.
Now, Nwaneri, 18, has moved closer to agreeing fresh terms with his boyhood club, according to a new post by Romano on Saturday afternoon.
He wrote: ‘Understand Arsenal have made progress in the recent days for Ethan Nwaneri’s new deal.
‘The club has presented vision/project for Nwaneri in the upcoming years including discussions on game time.
‘Arsenal hopeful to get green light and sign new contract soon’.
While any new terms are yet to be officially agreed, the news will come as another positive for Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta.
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.
Arteta may also land a striker as Viktor Gyokeres will reportedly refuse to turn up for pre-season training with Sporting Lisbon as he pushes for a move to Arsenal.
The Swedish international is thought to have agreed pre-contract terms with the Gunners after prioritising a move to north London over Manchester United.
The striker believes that he has an honour agreement that allows him to leave the club for a fee of €60million, plus another €10m (£51.7m plus £8.6m).
However, despite Arsenal reportedly offering to pay €65m, plus a further €15m (£56m plus £12.9m), but the Portuguese club are now believed to be standing firm on a fixed €70m (£60.4m).
Gyokeres was due to report for pre-season training with Sporting on Friday, but he will not show up, according to The Athletic.
It is said that he feels betrayed, believing president Frederico Varandas has broken a pact to let him leave for a figure Arsenal have already exceeded.
