ContinueArsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has admitted that the club would be powerless to stop star striker Robin van Persie leaving this summer if he demands mega wages.
The Gunners captain is in the final year of his contract, and despite holding preliminary talks with the club over a new deal, his future remains very much in doubt.
As reported by Goal.com, Hill-Wood called Van Persie “an extremely good captain”, but commented it may be hard to hold onto him.
“If somebody comes along and offers Robin £250,000 a week then I am afraid we cannot compete with that,” he said.
“With players, you never know what they are going to do.”
With Van Persie's precarious contract situation due to continue throughout the summer, the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid have been linked with an approach. Hill-Wood hinted that while Van Persie wants to win accolades, money may ultimately decide his future.
“Some player say they want silverware but when they have the chance to earn extraordinary money that has been pumped into the game, then you just have to hope they will stay because they are happy and loyal where they are."
Dutchman Van Persie joined Arsenal in 2004, and despite struggling with injuries early in his Gunners career, emerged as one of the club's strongest characters, eventually filling the void left by Theirry Henry.
However, a barren period of seven years without silverware would have undoubtedly affected Van Persie, who indicated that Arsenal needed to bring in established talent if they were to win trophies.
“We have already brought in one new player in Lukas Podolski and I believe we will bring in more,” Hill-Wood continued. “I am confident we will, in fact.
“I just hope that Robin will be with us next season because I genuinely feel we can make a real challenge for the Premier League title.”
