Arsenal are determined not to let Aaron Ramsey’s contract saga drag on into next season.
The 27-year-old has just over a year left on his current deal and, although talks have continued for several months, progress has been slow.
New head coach Unai Emery is keen to make the Wales star a key component of his side but wants a quick resolution to the situation.
The club are wary of the damage done in the past by protracted negotiations over the futures of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, although the latter eventually signed a £350,000-a-week deal in January.
Ozil’s new deal in January has moved the goalposts for every other player in talks with the club, however, with Ramsey seeking a significant increase on his £110,000-a-week wages.
He has been offered improved terms as part of a five-year deal.
Ramsey’s representative, David Baldwin, recently left the leading football agency Base, taking Ramsey with him as a client.
There are concerns held by some senior figures at the club that this is a move designed to force through a transfer - maximising a pay day for player and agent - but a dialogue has remained open and Arsenal are hopeful of reaching an agreement.
There was further encouragement in Ramsey’s public declaration after Wales drew 0-0 with Mexico in a friendly at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Tuesday.
"I haven't spoken to him [Emery] at all yet, but I think it's an exciting time for the club and I can't wait to get back there now," he said.
If club and player fail to agree terms, the Gunners will look to sell Ramsey in the current transfer window believing they could still receive around £40million-£50m for a midfielder of his quality.
