Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger remains hopeful of keeping hold of defender William Gallas.

The Daily Mail says Gallas and his representatives are due to meet Arsenal officials later this week for a further round of negotiations about his contract, which expires in the summer.

Wenger wants to keep the 32-year-old defender, who was in outstanding form before injury hit and would like the club to bend their rule of awarding only one-year contract extensions to players over 30.

With Roma manager Claudio Ranieri interested in signing a player he worked with at Chelsea, Gallas is in a strong negotiating position despite his fitness issues.