Mikel Arteta has provided an update the contract situation of Folarin Balogun at Arsenal.
The 19-year-old has impressed this season with a goal involvement every 60 minutes in the Europa League, but he is currently set to leave on a free when his contract expires in the summer.
Liverpool, Stuttgart and Swansea are among the clubs reportedly interested in acquiring the signature of the youngster.
But now Mikel Arteta has revealed that while he and Arsenal are still very confident of securing an extension for Balogun, he cannot be certain that he will end up staying.
"Well, you need three parties to make a deal," he said.
"For sure the club wants to make a deal, the manager wants to make a deal, and I'm not sure about the agent."
When pressed further on whether the player's agent was proving a hinderance to the deal the Spaniard implied he was concerned about whether they were looking out for the best interests of the player.
"No, I'm not saying he’s stopping it’s that we need to find an agreement with him," he said. "We are negotiating at the end with an agent, with a player that wants to stay at the club and we need to find agreement.
"I’m telling you that we are doing everything we can to keep him here.
"And hopefully from the other part they’re doing the same and defending the same interest which is the player’s interests which is to stay at the club and be successful with us."
Balogun could feature on Saturday when Arsenal begin their defence of the FA Cup with a home tie against Newcastle in the third round.
Arteta revealed that the player is fit and being considered for selection.
"He is fit and available," said the Spaniard.
"Again his progression and the use of the time he’s had with us has been incredible, incredible good. And he will keep having chances while he’s with us."
