Arsenal willing to make RVP the highest paid ever

Arsenal are willing to splash the cash on convincing Robin van Persie to sign a new deal at the club.

The Daily Express reports the Dutchman could become the highest-paid ever at the Gunners, topping the wages of former star players like Thierry Henry or Cesc Fàbregas.

Van Persie has less than 18 months of his current deal and has put off extension talks until the summer, but he is thought to be interested in battling for silverware.

With Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and AC Milan on his trail, Arsenal plan to persuade the 28 year-old with a £4 million signing fee and weekly wages of around £100,000.

Right-winger Theo Walcott is another player manager Arsène Wenger will likely talk to, as he will also run out of contract in the summer of 2013.

Profits announced

Arsenal's plan to offer top-money contracts to the attacking duo was reported after the club revealed a £49.5 million of profits in the last six months, and chief executive Ivan Gazidis confirmed the money will be invested on the 'playing staff'.

He said: “I am convinced we have the funds to be able to compete at the very highest levels of the game. We will spend the money the club generates on our playing staff. The better and more efficiently we can do that, the more successful we will be.”

Theo Walcott Theodore James Walcott  England  Jamaica 1989-03-16 (24 years) Forward 68 kg 170 cm See player profile>

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