Van Persie, Arsenal Talks Deadlocked

Arsene Wenger was still trying to convince Robin van Persie to pledge his future to Arsenal as talks over a new deal ended in deadlock.

Sportsmail reports that Van Persie, together with his agent Kees Vos, met with manager Wenger and Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis as discussions regarding a contract extension got underway yesterday.

The Holland international is understood to have expressed his concerns at the club’s chances of challenging for major honours during the discussions.

And the Gunners boss used the meeting to assure Van Persie that the Gunners are close to fulfilling his ambitions.

Wenger is said to have explained to Van Persie that with the signing of Lukas Podolski, and the prospective moves for the likes of Rennes midfielder Yann M’Vila and Borussia Dormund attacker Shinji Kagawa, that the Gunners can challenge for Premier League and Champions League supremacy.

Nevertheless, the issue of Van Persie’s contract remained unresolved last night.

Whether Wenger’s powers of persuasion have worked remain to be seen with further discussions planned where the issue of money is likely to take a more central theme.

The Gunners are willing to offer Van Persie a new three-year deal worth about £26million to ensure he stays.

But with Manchester City, Manchester United, Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona all monitoring the deal talks, Arsenal fear the spending power of Europe’s elite will turn Van Persie’s head.

Van Persie could earn as much as £220,000-per-week at Manchester City and the player’s agent Kees Vos was a guest of executive Brian Marwood at a recent Etihad Stadium match.

Van Persie has 12 months left on his contract and can leave on a free next summer.