To Talk or Not To Talk

Possession - Section 8 and Section 21

I have just had section 8 and 21 notices for rent arrears served on a tenant. The section 8 has now expired and I have the option to start court proceedings. I don't want to do this unless it is absolutely unavoidable. I think the tenant would prefer not to have to go to court and would prefer to negotiate a mutually acceptable departure date.
Would I be risking my position by talking to the tenant and offering to come to a mutul arrangement on repossession, or should I just proceed with court action.
This tenant has been in arrears continuously for the past couple of years and none of the agreements we have made to pay these off have been kept. This time I am determined to follow through but would still like to do it amicably.