Arsenal are set to begin negotiations with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain next week over a fresh contract, according to The Times.
The newspaper report that the Gunners are keen to see the midfield regular commit his future to the club, amid growing interest in his services from their Premier League rivals.
Liverpool and Everton are both interested, and could be prepared to offer the 23-year-old a way out this summer should talks fail to find an amicable solution, with the player having rarely featured in his preferred central midfield role.
The Times quotes Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who holds the player in high regard, as saying it is ‘vital’ that the club move to offer him an extension to his current deal.
The England international has just one year left to run on his current contract, but despite talks reportedly set to commence next week, Oxlade-Chamberlain is under the impression that Arsenal are ‘hedging their bets on whether to keep him.’
Oxlade-Chamberlain made 44 appearances in all competitions during the 2016-17 season, but earned just 26 starts, while he appeared just seven times in his preferred role.
He has been used most regularly as a winger, and has also appeared in an unfamiliar right wing-back role.
But he is determined to play more often as a central midfielder, and his lack of such opportunities could see him consider a summer move.
Arsenal fans may react positively to the news that Wenger is looking to push ahead with a new deal for one of their regular first-team stars, but they will remain concerned that negotiations over the futures of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are still yet to take flight.