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Arsene Wenger last night admitted Bacary Sagna could walk away at the end of the season.

Sagna, who turns 31 next week , will reach a career milestone at Liverpool with his 200th Premier League appearance – and it could be one of his last.

Gunners right-back Sagna's current deal expires at the end of the season and there is no end in sight to the stand-off involving one of Arsenal's most important players.

Sagna has been offered a new two-year deal on around £70,000-a-week but wants three years and a bigger pay deal. Wenger has even bent his own club rules to offer a 30-something more than a one-year extension.

Galatasaray, Monaco, Paris Saint Germain and several Middle East clubs want to sign him on a free contract this summer.

Wenger has been very bullish about Sagna staying and says he “expects” the right-back will stay but admits that it is a growing concern during Arsenal's title run-in.

“When I say I expect, it's more that I want (him to stay),” said Wenger. “I hope that in the end I am right. We are not close at the moment.

“He wants to keep his options open, because he is at the end of a contract. It is an important contract for him. He is 31 years old. I can understand.

“Because he is a defender we are ready to give him more than one year.

“I’m not alright with that (Sagna keeping his options open) because I would like him to sign just now but I have to accept it. It is his freedom - the decision belongs to him.

“We are always in negotiations with him and we try always to be fair with him. I believe his future is here and any other decision would be wrong.”

Who could replace Sagna? Here's five right-backs that Arsenal could turn to.

(Image: Getty)

Sagna has been one of the best right-backs of the Premier League era but two broken legs in the past couple of seasons have taken their toll.

It is understood that concerns about Sagna's injuries are playing a part in negotiations.

Arsenal only recently decided to bend their rules on players who are over 30 and his form this season has been outstanding as Sagna has played a major part in their title charge.

Wenger paid a glowing tribute to Sagna and urged him to commit to a new contract and finish his career at Arsenal.

The Arsenal boss added: “He’s fantastic, not only a great player but a fantastic attitude.

“You know when you start the game that Bacary Sagna will give you 100 per cent commitment and no matter where you play, against whom you play, he will just commit 100 per cent.

“That is a fantastic guarantee. I believe that his future is here and any other decision would be wrong.

“He can cover in central defence and in the future he will play more central than on the flank.”

Wenger is also believes Arsenal winning at Liverpool would give them a huge lift for their title run-in and he is also hoping for Mesut Ozil to deliver a good performance in a big game.

Wenger added: “It would be a strong message but we will have now to give a strong message out in every single game. That's what it is all about because as soon as you don't win a big game, people say 'Oh, can they do it?'

“Ozil had a good game at Southampton under very difficult circumstances. On Sunday against Crystal Palace he was a bit quieter but still played over 100 passes in the game and when you look at the game again you see that every single pass is intelligent. Maybe he can score a few more but that will come.”