Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is deemed to have settled on a financial package ahead of what could be a potential two-year extension at the north London club, The Mirror reports.
The Frenchman’s future has been the subject of speculation over the past couple of months with a divided opinion among the fans on whether he should remain beyond the current campaign.
Wenger’s current deal is due to expire at the end of the 2016/17 season, and according to The Mirror, he could prolong his stay by a couple more years after having sealed an agreement over his salary.
The report adds that Wenger is yet to put pen to paper on the agreement formally as he is well aware of the growing unrest among the fans following another average Premier League campaign.
The Gunners had looked on course to challenge for the title at the turn of the year, but defeats to Watford, Chelsea and Liverpool have all but ended their chances while missing out on Champions League football next season also looks a distinct possibility.
Wenger had earlier suggested that he would wait until the end of March to decide on his future, but his recent discussion with the club’s hierarchy clearly suggests that he may stay put at the Emirates next season.
The long-standing head coach is likely to face further questions on his future prior to the FA Cup quarter-final against fifth-tier Lincoln City following the Gunners’ 10-2 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the Champions League.
The Gunners had been expected to put up a decent showing on Tuesday night following their 5-1 humiliation at the Allianz Arena in the first leg, but their first-half lead (1-0) was quickly turned into misery as a red card for Laurent Koscielny led to yet another 5-1 rout at the hands of the German champions – their worst-ever performance at the Emirates Stadium.
The FA Cup remains Arsenal’s only realistic chance of a trophy this term, but the competition still presents a tough ride in the semi-final stage with Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur all in contention.
