Arsenal are reportedly not far away from reaching an agreement over a new deal for midfield star Aaron Ramsey, according to writer Charles Watts.

Watts told Football.London that sources inform him that things are going well in talks to extend the 27-year-old’s contract, even if club and player haven’t reached a final agreement at this stage.

“In terms of Ramsey, there is still no agreement,” he said. “But I did hear from someone I trust last week that things were moving in the right direction and that he thought a new deal was not far away – which is a positive. I think he will eventually sign.”

Ramsey is in the final year of his contract with Arsenal, with his current deal expiring in the summer of 2019. As a result, the club have reportedly been in talks with him for a while over an extension, but didn’t seem to be making any headway.

At one point things seemed to be going in the wrong direction, after Ramsey was left out of the Arsenal starting XI at Stamford Bridge. The media consequently started to suggest he was stalling on a new deal to evaluate his exit options.

However, things seem to be going well again now. Unai Emery picked Ramsey to play 90 minutes against West Ham and Cardiff, so he clearly hasn’t lost faith in him. The midfielder’s individual performances are picking up too, as he scored for his country against Ireland.

Hopefully Watts’ information is right, and a new deal will follow soon enough.