Arsenal are in the final stages of tying up a new contract for academy star Emile Smith Rowe.
Smith Rowe has been a target for Aston Villa, who have failed with two bids of £25million and £30m.
Arsenal were always adamant they had no plans to sell the 20-year-old and they are confident a new contract for the youngster will be signed soon.
Talks over fresh terms are understood to be in the final stages and Smith Rowe is expected to put pen to paper on a long-term deal.
The midfielder broke into the first-team around Christmas time last year and established himself as a key cog in their revival under Mikel Arteta during the second half of the season.
Arteta has big plans for Smith Rowe and he sees him as a big part of the club’s future going forward, which is why Arsenal never entertained any bids for him.
Asked earlier this week if he was determined to keep Smith Rowe despite Aston Villa’s interest, Arteta said: “Without a question, yes. He will stay here, 100 per cent.”
Arsenal have already tied down defender Kieran Tierney to a new contract this summer and Smith Rowe is another player whose long-term future they want to secure.
The club are also still working hard in the transfer market too, with negotiations ongoing for Brighton defender Ben White.
Arteta is a big fan of the England international and has made signing him a top priority this summer.
A move for White, however, still requires work and the closest deal Arsenal are to completing is for Anderlecht midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga.