Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is determined to sign veteran defender Martin Keown on a new contract this summer.
Keown (35) is out of contract at the end of this season, but the England international wants to carry on. He was linked at the weekend with a possible move to Newcastle, although he intends to stay put at Highbury if a deal can be agreed, ideally for two years.
Arsenal opened talks by offering only one further year, but the likely compromise is that Keown will agree to a one-year deal with a further one-year option.
Keown said: "I've no wish to play anywhere else. It has been suggested to me that the club want me to stay so that is an encouraging sign".
Fellow defender Lee Dixon has announced his retirement, and Tony Adams is still considering his future.
Wenger, who will also hold talks with Adams in the next fortnight, said: "I like to think I have 11 leaders in the dressing-room. Martin is certainly one of them. Of course I want him to stay".