Arsenal are in ongoing negotiations with Arthur Okonkwo over a new contract, as he asks for £1m-a-season, according to a report.

Villarreal CF v Arsenal - UEFA Europa League - Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo warming up before the UEFA Europa League match at Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal. Copyright: Focus Images
Villarreal CF v Arsenal – UEFA Europa League – Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo warming up before the UEFA Europa League match at Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal. Copyright: Focus Images

AllNigeriaSoccer report that Arsenal are continuing negotiations with Arthur Okonkwo ahead of the start of pre-season preparations. As already confirmed by the Premier League retained list, we know the Gunners have made him a contract offer.

According to ANS, the main stumbling block is the finances involves. Okonkwo reportedly wants his new deal to earn him up to £1m each season. That’s over £19,000-a-week for the 19-year-old goalkeeper.

Okonkwo is highly rated at Arsenal, competing with Karl Hein for the first-choice academy goalkeeper spot and for the third-choice Europa League goalkeeper last season. One of the two of them featured on the bench throughout the knockout stages.

Offers have been on the table for Okonkwo and Kido Taylor-Hart for a while now, with the retained list also confirming that Mazeed Ogungbo and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji were yet to accept their new deals.

Daniel Oyegoke was another among the list of players to receive a contract offer, but he recently confirmed he’s not accepting it and will be moving on this summer for a new challenge.

As for the other four, they remain tight-lipped on their futures. With less than a fortnight until everyone is back in pre-season training, and less than a week until the end of their current contracts, we should get decisions soon.