Romano announces two NEW deals at Arsenal

Robin Bairner

• 20 Feb 2024 12:16 GMT
• 3 min read

Fabrizio Romano has announced that two Arsenal players are close to extending their contracts at the Emirates Stadium.

The football transfer news specialist has revealed that Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee has come onto the Gunners’ radar lately, but the London club are also seeking to tie down their existing talent as well as strengthen their squad.

To that end, both Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are close to securing new contracts. In the case of the Japan international, only the formalities need to be completed but there is just a little more work to do with regards to the former Brighton star.

“Takehiro Tomiyasu’s new contract with Arsenal is done. He’s 100% extending his contract with Arsenal, so it’s just about finding the right moment to sign the contract and make an announcement, but it’s done,” Romano wrote on the Daily Briefing.

“It’s an important deal for Arsenal as well because important Italian clubs showed an interest in Tomiyasu in January. He was excellent at Bologna before Arsenal signed him, so there was interest from Serie A, but from Mikel Arteta it was a straight “no” because he’s very happy with him.

“For Ben White’s contract, it’s not done yet but it’s very advanced. Talks have gone well since October, the player is happy at Arsenal, so it’s just a matter of weeks or maybe months and then it will be complete.”

Arsenal experts at planning ahead

Arsenal have been very proactive in securing the long-term future of key players under Mikel Arteta in recent seasons, with no one integral to the squad allowed to progress into the last 12 months of their contract.

FootballTransfers has also revealed previously that secret talks with Arteta are underway to ensure the manager’s future at the Emirates Stadium is also secured for the long term.