Arsenal confirmed Robin Van Persie wants to resolve his future as soon as possible.
The Dutch striker intimated his intentions to not sign a new contract by issuing a statement on his official website on July 4. The 28-year-old returned to Arsenal on Monday, after an extended holiday, and has indicated he wants to sort out his future, either way, quickly, before the Gunners fly out for their pre-season tour to Asia.
Arsene Wenger is desperate not to lose out on the striker he bought from Feyenoord eight years ago, and is hoping face-to-face talks will convince the Arsenal captain to stay.
Van Persie is not happy about Arsenal's vision for the future, and with the Dutchman turning 29 next month, knows he hasn't got much time left to win major trophies. Van Persie's agent Kees Vos is understood to be keen on getting a big deal for his client and Arsenal want to talk with Van Persie without his agent's presence.
Wenger believes the club is still capable of vying for top honors, including the English Premier League and the Champions League and will try to convince Van Persie that he can win titles by staying in North London.
Manchester City are understood to be the frontrunners for the striker's signature, with Manchester United, Barcelona and Juventus also credited with an interest.
"Robin returned to training on Monday as expected and made it clear he wants to sit down and resolve the matter of his future, either way, as soon as possible," a club spokesperson told The Sun.
"No date has yet been agreed for that meeting."
Meanwhile, Arsenal legend Ian Wright defended Van Persie's decision to leave the club. "I cannot blame him for wanting to join a club who are winning trophies," the former Arsenal striker wrote in his column for The Sun.
"For the last few years, Arsenal have lost at least one top player each summer and they have struggled to win anything as a result.
"In previous seasons, Manchester United and Chelsea were the successful teams the top players wanted to join - now, it is City.
"Some people think footballers only think about money but this is not true.
"City may pay big bucks, but the attraction is the silverware.
"I think Arsene Wenger will be disappointed with the situation, but not angry or surprised.
"People say players who have suffered many injuries should stick with clubs who have remained loyal. But the game is not about sentiment - the only truly loyal people in the game are the fans."
Wright said he hoped Van Persie would be convinced to stay, but admitted the likelihood of such a turnaround was slim. "I really hope Arsenal and Van Persie can resolve this situation and that he will end up staying.
"But I cannot see this happening.
"Arsenal need to address this problem of losing their best players. I admire their business plan about not spending what they haven't got, but the club is getting left behind.
"Even if Van Persie does leave they have yet another problem as Theo Walcott finds himself in a similar contract situation with just one year left."
