No rush to discuss van Persie deal until summer

London: Arsenal are not going to be panicked into offering Robin van Persie a new contract, according to chairman Peter Hill-Wood.

The Dutchman's current deal expires at the end of next season, alerting several clubs to the talented forward who has scored 17 goals in 20 appearances for club and country so far this term.

"He doesn't want to talk about it at the moment and we are not troubling him," said Hill-Wood.

"I think we will approach him near the end of the season. But we obviously hope that he will sign a new contract - I don't see why he should not. I can't believe he is unhappy with us."

Van Persie joined Arsenal in 2004 and Hill-Wood praised his development as a player and as a person during his time at the club adding: "I think he is a decent fellow. He was quite difficult at Feyenoord, but we have had no trouble with him."

Van Persie expressed his discontent with the club following the summer departure of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, but his own form has been a key feature of Arsenal's recent recovery and climb up the Premier League table following a tough start.

Meanwhile, the Dutch striker himself is not interested in negotiating a new contract with the Gunners before the end of the current season even though he has only 18 months left on his current deal, claimed his representatives.

The current scenario means Arsenal may receive bids for the in-form van Persie as early as January, with the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid reportedly keen on the 28-year-old.

Earlier in the week, Cesc Fabregas, who left Arsenal for Barcelona in the summer, said he believed it was vital for his former club to keep hold of van Persie: "At his age, if he wants to move it will be his last chance and if he wants to stay, he will stay and retire at Arsenal. He is the role model of Arsenal, the star player and they cannot afford to lose him. I don't know if they will keep him. We will see what he decides but he's been very loyal to Arsenal for a few years. He is a key player, the fans love him."