Alex Iwobi will sign a new five-year deal with Arsenal, new Gunners boss Unai Emery has confirmed.
The Nigerian winger, 22, is to commit his future to the club after being linked with a £22.5million switch to Lazio.
Iwobi has been at Arsenal his entire careerPA:Press Association
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On Wednesday SunSport were first to report news of Iwobi’s new deal, which will boost his wages up to £70,000-a-week.
The club began negotiations over a new contract in December as they looked to tie down a player who has been with them since the age of eight.
That was despite Iwobi having been handed a new five-year contract only 14 months previously, in October 2016.
Emery is said to be a huge fan of Iwobi, and he will likely play a prominent role at Arsenal this season with the club’s lack of depth out wide.
Emery has made his mark already on the Arsenal squad, signing five players and tying down a host of names to new dealsGetty - Contributor
Speaking as Iwobi returned to the club after World Cup duty in Russia: “I have the information, he is near.
“First I want to work with every player, and they are coming (back to training).
“Mesut, Elneny and Iwobi are working with us – my first impression is very good.
“My information is he will sign to stay with us.”
Iwobi played in all three of Nigeria’s World Cup games as they exited at the group stage in RussiaGetty Images - Getty
Iwobi netted on his first Premier League start in a 2-0 win at Goodison Park in March 2016PA:Press Association
Iwobi broke into the first team in the second half of the 2015/16 season, having come through the club’s Hale End academy setup.
He scored on his first two Premier League starts, against Everton and Watford, and has nine goals and 18 assists in 98 games for the Gunners.
Following the departures of fellow widemen Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the past 12 months, Iwobi now has a clearer path to the first team.
The Lagos-born forward has five goals in 21 Nigeria caps, having switched allegiances in 2015 after 11 youth appearances for England.
Elneny, Ozil and Iwobi joined up with their Arsenal teammates for the pre-season tour of SingaporeEPA
He is the latest player to renew with the club in the last few months, following Calum Chambers, Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny.
Mesut Ozil also penned a new bumper £350,000-a-week deal in January.
But the club are still sweating over the future of Aaron Ramsey, who has entered his final 12 months under their control.
Ramsey confirmed on Wednesday he is yet to agree his future but Emery remains confident a deal will be struck.
It’s crunch time for Arsenal and Ramsey as negotiations over a new deal look set to reach a conclusionGetty - Contributor
Ramsey, 27, is among the favourites to take on the captaincy at Arsenal after Per Mertesacker’s retirement.
The Welshman said: “We’ve yet to come to an agreement. I still have a year left and it is a great feeling to play here.
“I’m looking forward to that. If something is to happen, we’ll see in the coming few weeks.”
Meanwhile, Emery said: “For me, I want him to stay with us, to work with us, to give the team the big performances with his quality. I think he is going to stay here with us.”
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