Arsenal 'will not offer Danny Welbeck new contract'

Arsenal are reportedly prepared to let Danny Welbeck leave on a free transfer at the end of the season as they have no plans to offer the forward a new contract.

The England international may already have played his final game for the Gunners, having suffered a "significant" ankle injury in last month's goalless draw with Sporting Lisbon.

Welbeck, who joined the North London outfit from rivals Manchester United in 2014, is able to speak to foreign clubs from January 1 over a summer switch.

Arsenal have extended the contracts of injured players Santi Cazorla and Abou Diaby in the past to act as an incentive, but The Times claims that the club are not prepared to do likewise with Welbeck.

Instead, the 28-year-old will now join longest-serving player Aaron Ramsey in departing the Emirates Stadium in six months' time, with Crystal Palace one of a number of sides supposedly interested in his services.