Arsenal are close to agreeing a new contract with FA Cup hero Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after a breakthrough in talks with the forward, writes Dan Kilpatrick.

Following months of negotiations, the 31-year-old is believed to have verbally agreed to a new deal until 2023, thought to be worth more than £250,000 a week. Barring any late hitches, Aubameyang is now expected to commit his future to the club in a major boost to manager Mikel Arteta.

The club captain has scored 70 goals in 109 appearances since signing from Borussia Dortmund for £56million in January 2018 and he has proved indispensable for Arteta, most recently with a match-winning performance in last Saturday’s FA Cup Final win over Chelsea.

Aubameyang is set to be joined in north London next season by Willian, with the Chelsea winger close to agreeing on a three-year deal with Arsenal, believed to be worth in excess of £100,000 a week.

The Gunners are also eyeing Lille central defender Gabriel Magalhaes and want a central midfielder, with Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey among their targets.

A number of fringe players are expected to depart this summer, with AC Milan target Lucas Torreira and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who is wanted by Everton and Brighton, among them.