Rumour: Bacary Sagna close to agreeing new Arsenal deal

Sagna has been one of the cornerstone for Arsenal at the back ever since arriving in North London

Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna has reportedly held positive talks with the Gunners, who are growing increasingly confident that he will reject a move away from the Emirates at the end of the season.

The French defender’s current contract expires at the end of the campaign and he is currently free to discuss his options with other clubs.

A string of high profile outfits, including Manchester City, have reportedly offered the 31-year-old the chance to leave Arsenal, but he now looks set to spurn their advances in favour of Arsene Wenger’s side, according to Goal.

In what has proved to be one of the longest running transfer sagas of the year, Sagna is believed to be holding out for a sizeable pay increase, despite the club having offered him a two year contract that is worth £75,000-a-week with the option of a third year.

However, with Wenger heavily involved in discussions, such is his desire to keep the defender who has become an integral member of his side following his move from Auxerre in 2007, the club are now confident they further negotiations will be a success.

Although Sagna was keen to secure a deal worth round £100,000-a-week, the club’s hierarchy have offered several bonuses and inducements to their current offer and with his family settled in London, he is set to finally put pen to paper.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have prepared for every eventuality and have scouted severalpotential replacements for Sagna should he decide to leave, including Borussia Dortmund’s Lukasz Piszczek.