Arsene Wenger's New Arsenal Contract Reportedly Delayed by Bacary Sagna

As Arsene Wenger prepares to put pen to paper on an extension to his Arsenal contract, fellow Frenchman Bacary Sagna appears to be a little more reluctant to do so.

The Daily Star's David Woods reports that Arsenal wish to reveal Wenger, Sagna and Per Mertesacker as a package of individuals who have signed contract extensions, but the right-back is holding up the deal:

Starsport understands the Frenchman (Wenger) has agreed to extend his stay at the north London club, which has entered its 18th year.

The big announcement is believed to be on hold because the Gunners want to tie up Per Mertesacker, 29, and stalwart right-back Bacary Sagna to new contracts as well and then reveal the three signings as a package.

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Sagna has told the title-chasing Gunners he has attracted some great offers from overseas, claiming the likes of PSG, Real Madrid, Monaco, Bayern Munich and Galatasary are willing to offer him a four-year contract on £100,000 AFTER tax.

These three signatures would be a huge boost for the Gunners, who currently top the Premier League table as they bid to win their first title since 2004.

Mertesacker has emerged as a true leader at the back. Indeed, no club have conceded fewer goals or kept more clean sheets than Arsenal this season.

Sagna is playing some of his best football in his seventh year with the club and maybe it is time for Arsenal to rethink their over-30s policy.

The Gunners are unwilling to commit ageing players to more than a one-year-contract, but Wenger has shown faith in the likes of 41-year-old Jens Lehmann (2011) and a 35-year-old Sol Campbell (2010) in the past.

Sagna remains an extremely fit athlete, but the temptation for one final challenge might take the decision out of Arsenal's hands.

The right-back's signature may prove to be Arsenal's most important signing of the season. While Carl Jenkinson has proved himself to be more than capable and will no doubt be Arsenal's first choice right-back in seasons to come, he lacks Sagna's experience and consistency.

Wenger, meanwhile, is Arsenal's most successful manager but he has also gone longer than any other Gunners boss without a trophy. Nevertheless, a new deal would surely please a large section of the club's fans.

Should he decide this year is his last, the burning question would be who to bring in as a replacement. Former players Tony Adams, Steve Bould and Dennis Bergkamp would be popular choices with the fans, but none would come with a background of success.

The latter has a fear of flying, per David Kent of the Daily Mail, and is therefore almost certain never to manage Arsenal.

Metro Sport tweeted that if a new deal is reached with Wenger, it must come with silverware:

If Sagna signs, Arsenal can confirm Wenger's new deal, according to Woods' article. And that is surely reason enough to get Sagna's contract cemented quickly.