Arsenal have begun talks with young striker Chuba Akpom as he enter the final six months of his contract at the club, after the player has now been allowed to speak to other clubs for a potential move either this month for a minimal fee or in the summer as a free agent, according to the Standard.

The Gunners returned to winning ways with a spectacular win against Stoke City at the Emirates Stadium last Saturday. But experts are again pointing to the defensive situation at the club and questioning the ability of the side to take on their next opponents Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium today. Arlene Wenger will not be happy with the nature of Mathieu Debuchy’s injury after the Frenchman was pushed unnecessarily by Stoke player Marko Arnautovic as the right back tried to let the ball run out for an Arsenal goal kick. City have already dropped points last week away to Everton, and will not want to slip up anymore in the Premier League title race against Chelsea.

Akpom has been at Arsenal since 2002, when he joined as a youth player in the academy. The 19-year old developed his game for over a decade, and was then sent on loan spells to Brentford and Coventry City. The England Under-20 international represented Arsenal in the league cup and the Premier League, both in defeats against Southampton, and will assess his options as his contract runs out.