VAN PERSIE HAPPY AT ARSENAL, SAYS HILL-WOOD

By NBF News

Thursday, 15 March 2012 00:00  Editor  Sport  -  Abroad

ARSENAL'S Chairman, Peter Hill-Wood, believes that Robin van Persie is settled at the club and would not be lured away by the offer of a lucrative contract, while also insisting there is money to spend in the transfer market if the 'right person' can be found.

Lukas Podolski has emerged a possible summer signing for the Gunners and fresh reports yesterday suggested that the Cologne striker has undergone a medical in Germany that was overseen by officials from the London club.

The pursuit of Podolski has been viewed as an attempt to bolster Arsenal's attacking options rather than as a potential replacement for Van Persie, whose future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months.

The Dutchman's current deal at the Emirates Stadium is due to expire in June 2013 and he has put contract talks on hold till the end of this season. Van Persie has been in such spectacular form this season that a number of other clubs are sure to be following his situation with interest, but Hill-Wood is confident that he will not go anywhere.

While Arsenal is believed to be ready to offer Van Persie a massive pay hike, Hill-Wood does not think he is obsessed with financial rewards and is more concerned about having a successful career at the club he loves.

'I think Robin and his family are very happy in London and I don't think he is solely motivated by money as some players are,' Hill-Wood said in the Daily Star.