Kido Taylor-Hart is set to sign a new contract with Arsenal, returning to pre-season training this week after his old deal expired.

Football.London report that Kido Taylor-Hart is set to sign a new long-term contract with Arsenal, after months of discussions. Negotiations reportedly began back in March, but amid plenty of interest from elsewhere, he’s decided to commit his future.

The 18-year-old is back in training, though this doesn’t necessarily mean much, as Arsenal have allowed youth players on the way out to continue training with them in the past. Fortunately, it seems that’s not the case with Taylor-Hart, and he really is set to stay.

Taylor-Hart was Arsenal’s top scorer for the academy last season, with 11 goals for the year between his appearances for the u18s and the u23s – though Folarin Balogun scored more goals if you include first-team appearances as well.

The winger also provided five assists, and he finished the season in strong form. He scored three of his u23 goals in Arsenal’s final five games of the season, right when the Gunners needed all the help they could get to avoid relegation.

As well as out wide, Taylor-Hart can play in the middle, and that versatility in attacking areas should see him with a chance to capitalise on Arsenal’s current absences in pre-season.

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are both away on international duty, and Reiss Nelson and Willian could be on the way out anytime, so there’s likely to be an opportunity for games on the wings.

Then there’s only Emile Smith Rowe and possibly Joe Willock as options at 10, given the lack of a new signing and Martin Odegaard’s return to Real Madrid. So if he can’t get in on the wing, Taylor-Hart may still get chances centrally.

After that, it’s going to be up to Arsenal to decide on the best next step. If he can take his chance in pre-season, there’ll surely be plenty of interest in a loan move, and maybe even a chance to remain with the first team.