Arsenal midfielder Serge Gnabry was linked with a move to Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin until the latter decided against it and now recent reports suggest that the Gunners are preparing a new contract which will see the player stay in the EPL.
Arsenal are currently looking to keep their most valuable players in the squad for the next season. Keeping promising players and bringing in new players in the squad is the Gunners’ top priority this summer and working on the same, Arsenal are now preparing to keep the 21-year-old midfielder in the squad.
According to the reports from the Bild, the Gunners held talks with Gnabry and his representatives from Spielerrat GmbH earlier this month, regarding the contract extension. The player’s current contract with the Gunners is set to expire in June 2017.
Although the deal between the Gunners and Gnabry’s former club VfB Stuttgart was agreed in 2010 itself, the player moved to Arsenal in 2011 after he turned 16. The German joined the Gunners for 2011-2012 season wherein he spent the majority of the season playing in Arsenal’s Under-18 team. He made 18 appearances for the Gunners, making his debut in September 2013 during the match against Stoke City, although he was selected for the Gunners first team against Aston Villa, he spent the match on the bench.
The player headed to West Bromwich Albion on a loan in August last year; however his lack of first team action led to Arsenal calling him back in January. Gnabry, however, rediscovered himself during the Rio Olympics where he was called to participate by Germany. The player scored Germany’s first goal in 2-2 draw against Mexico in Rio. He further scored five more goals after the match against Mexico, helping Germany emerge victors against South Korea, Fiji, and Portugal. The 21-year-old is now the top scorer in the Olympics with six goals in four appearances for Germany.
The last few days have seen Gnabry linked with the Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin, however, the German club pulled back from the deal and now reports suggest that the Gunners are willing to offer the youngster a contract extension. The North-London based club will be looking for a change in fortunes after their 3-4 loss to Liverpool on the opening day of the season, and Wenger might look to youngsters to provide the spark needed.
Gnabry and Laurent Koscielny are some of Arsenal’s first team players whose contract is set to expire in 12 months time, and reports suggest that Arsenal are preparing a new contract for their most promising player so as to retain his services for a long term.