Unai Emery is close to finalising his midfield for next season following positive contract talks with Aaron Ramsey and the planned completion of a £26 million deal for Uruguay midfielder Lucas Torreira.

With Jack Wilshere moving on after being told that first-team opportunities would be limited, Emery has identified Granit Xhaka and Ramsey as his two senior central midfielders and, with Xhaka having extended his contract until 2023, the expectation now is that Ramsey will follow in committing for what should be the prime years of his career.

Ramsey and Arsenal have been in ongoing negotiations over a new four or five-year contract and it is understood that the most recent talks have been progressing positively and that the Wales midfielder is enthused by the prospect of working under Emery.

Arsenal have also agreed new contracts this year for midfielders Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Mohamed Elneny, who are again likely to be squad players, while the move for Torreira suggesting that Emery plans to use Xhaka and Ramsey slightly differently next season.

The lack of a natural screening presence behind Xhaka or Ramsey has often seemed to unbalance the team in recent seasons and it is hoped that a deal to bring the 22-year-old Torreira from Sampdoria can be progressed once he finishes his World Cup involvement with Uruguay.