Arsenal dealt transfer blow as Saints offer Morgan Schneiderlin huge new deal

ARSENAL have been handed a major blow in their attempts to sign Morgan Schneiderlin in the summer and solve their defensive midfield woes.

Morgan SchneiderlinGETTY

Morgan Schneiderlin will be on all the big teams' wishlists

Southampton are reportedly set to offer the France international a bumper contract worth £60,000-a-week to keep him at the St Mary's.

The 25-year-old has two more years left on his current contract and the south-coast club have slapped a £25million price tag on the midfielder.

Following the re-emergence of Francis Coquelin, who signed a new three-year deal last month, Arsenal have looked more solid in the middle of the park.

Morgan Schneiderlin player profile

But with captain Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini suffering injury hit seasons and Abou Diaby playing just 67 minutes this season, Arsene Wenger is looking to strengthen his options.

The Daily Mirror claim the contract offered by Southampton would make Schneiderlin the highest-paid player at the club.

He has made 195 league appearances for the Champions League hopefuls since signing for £1.2m from Strasbourg in 2008.

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