Arsenal's current kit deal with PUMA expires at the end of next season, and according to tabloid reports the Gunners are in talks with adidas over a new £40m-a-year partnership that would come in to play from the beginning of the 2019/20 season.
With the current PUMA contract approaching its final season it's only natural that the club would begin to sound out a better deal and it appears adidas are the most interested party. Arsenal's existing deal with PUMA is worth £30m a season, and the brand are understood to have the option to match any offer made by a competitor.
PUMA have announced that they've agreed a deal with AC Milan next season so they may be looking to off-load Arsenal, especially if the Gunners fail to qualify for the Champions League next season. The reported £40m a year deal from adidas is still significantly less than Manchester United's £75m a year from the Three Stripes, and Chelsea's £60m a year from Nike.
A £40m a year deal would however better Tottenham's and Man City's deals with Nike, leaving those Champions League clubs with a big bargaining chip to increase their current contracts.
After losing Chelsea to Nike, adidas will be keen to recruit back a leading London club to have a presence in the capital. Tottenham and Chelsea have already signed new contracts with Nike, leaving Arsenal as a remaining option.
Arsenal donned the Three Stripes throughout the 1980s and early 90s, with adidas creating some of the most iconic kits in the club's history. A return to adidas would no doubt be welcomed by Arsenal fans, but in an era where money allows you to compete, it'll undoubtably be the highest bidder that wins.
