Wiltord contract a concern for Wenger

ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has admitted the club are not close to persuading Sylvain Wiltord to sign a new contract — and could lose the club’s £13m record signing on a free transfer next year.

Arsenal have managed to persuade Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry and Robert Pires to agree new deals this summer, with Pires even indicating he may be prepared to stay at Highbury for the rest of his career.

Wiltord, 29, however, has not yet agreed terms and with just one season left on his existing contract, he would be able to move on a Bosman free transfer next summer if no resolution is found.