Arsenal set to dump £13m Nike deal in favour of Adidas

Arsenal are reported to be on the verge of signing a big-money sponsorship deal with Adidas with their Nike contract set to expire in 2013-14.

The Gunners have had their kit manufactured by Nike since 1994, but are set to end their 18-year association with the American sportswear giants by moving to rivals Adidas.

According to The Telegraph, Arsenal will earn £25 million-a-year from Adidas - a fee far greater than the annual £13 million they currently receive from Nike.

Arsenal sell 800,000 replica shirts each year, which places them behind only Manchester United and Barcelona in Nike's impressive portfolio of football teams.

Adidas, however, have made a concerted effort to oust Nike as Arsenal's kit provider having identified the Gunners as the club to replace Liverpool as one of their top clients.

Liverpool were dumped by Adidas after the German company became frustrated with the Anfield club's demands for an extension to their deal, and see Arsenal as a client of similar stature.

The approach for Arsenal is also reported to be part of a strategic decision by Adidas to 'own' London, with a deal for Fulham also in the pipeline.