Arsenal in talks with adidas over £40m deal
ADIDAS are in advanced negotiations with Arsenal over a lucrative kit deal worth more than £40million per season.
The club’s existing contract with Puma is due to expire at the end of next season and the Gunners have begun the process of finding a new agreement.
Sportsmail understands sportswear giants adidas are in pole position to become the club’s next kit manufacturer, with discussions well under way.
Arsenal’s existing deal with Puma is worth £30m a season but adidas have indicated they are willing to invest significantly more.
However, Puma, it is understood, have the option to match any offer made by a competitor while other sportswear firms have also shown an interest.
Any deal north of £40m a year would represent a sizeable upgrade from the Gunners’ current deal.
Also, the value of an agreement with adidas could increase further if the club regain their Champions League status by winning the Europa League this season.
But despite the huge cash on offer, the deal on the table from adidas is still significantly short of those enjoyed by some of Arsenal’s domestic rivals. Manchester United’s adidas deal is worth £75m a year, while Chelsea’s deal with Nike is worth £60m per season.
However, a deal worth £40m would eclipse Tottenham and Manchester City’s deals with Nike, which are worth £30m and £20m, per season respectively.
Arsenal are also in talks to find their first shirt- sleeve sponsor in an attempt to improve the club’s commercial revenue.
Meanwhile, Danny Welbeck insists there is space in the Arsenal team for him to play alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.
Welbeck, who scored twice in Sunday’s win over Southampton, said: ‘I can play with Pierre and with Laca. It gives you added motivation. I know I can link up with plenty of the players in this team.’