Arsène Wenger is preparing for a summer overhaul of his failing Arsenal squad in a defiant attempt to end his historic tenure at the club on a high.

Despite growing opposition among fans to him signing another contract, Wenger wants to stay and, although the club are continuing to stress that any final decision must be mutual, plans are being made with the Frenchman for major on-field changes this summer.

Alexis Sánchez and Mesut Özil have become increasingly likely to leave amid their ongoing contract stand-offs and, while Wenger has publicly suggested that Arsenal would make them stay if they did not recommit, the club have been scouting potential replacements.

There is firm interest in Sánchez from both Paris St-Germain and ­Juventus but a buyer for Özil is less obvious and, despite joining up with the Germany squad after missing Saturday’s 3-1 Premier League defeat away to West Bromwich ­Albion, he remains the more likely to accept an extension on around £200,000 a week.