Arsenal’s Lauren and Edu in contract disputes

Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal’s offer of just a one-year contract to defender Lauren does not demonstrate a “lack of respect.”

Lauren is one of several players out of contract at the end of this season, along with Sol Campbell, Jermaine Pennant, Edu and Dennis Bergkamp.

But while Wenger is confident Campbell will sign a new deal, with only the fine details left to be resolved, the club have yet to agree terms with Pennant, Edu or Lauren.

Edu has been strongly linked with a move to Spain, while speculation has also been rife that Lauren, who joined Arsenal from Real Mallorca in 2000, could return to La Liga this summer.

Wenger would like to keep the former Cameroon international but, even at 27, he has still only been offered a one-year contract.

That is normally Arsenal’s cautious policy for players aged over 30, but Lauren is understood to feel that he deserves a longer deal.

Wenger did not shut the door on a compromise and understands the full-back’s position, claiming there is “always” room for manoeuvre.

However, he is playing a dangerous game in that, as of January 1, Lauren was able to start talks with any overseas club with a view to a Bosman free transfer at the end of this season.

“We have tried to extend Lauren’s contract but, at the moment, we have not found an agreement.

“I understand where he’s coming from and I can understand his position. I don’t think it a one-year contract offer shows a lack of respect.

“In these kind of negotiations, I highly respect Lauren and I highly respect his spirit.

“But you have to respect the positions in both camps and I prefer it when negotiations are secret and you come out when it is agreed or not. When things are made public, it is much more difficult.”

Arsenal have little experienced cover for Lauren, although Wenger has high hopes for 20-year-old right-back Justin Hoyte and has just signed Ivory Coast utility defender Emmanuel Eboue from Belgian club Beveren.

As for Edu, meanwhile, Wenger still hopes the midfielder will sign a new deal, although insists that he must do so by the end of this month.

Edu has hardly helped his chances of an improved deal by criticising the club publicly, even if he denied he had already agreed terms with Valencia.

Edu said, “I’m not sure if I want to stay or not because the club have let the situation go on this far.

“If they had really wanted to sign, they should have come up with an offer six months before indicating they wanted to sign me.”

Edu’s brother and representative, Amadeo Fensao, who was due to arrive in London today, has previously said Arsenal’s current offer was well short of what he was seeking.

Edu added: “I still have a good relationship with Arsene Wenger - he’s always said he wants me to sign. There is a meeting planned to sort it out with Arsenal.

“Now I have a choice to stay or go. I want to sort it out as soon as possible, it’s in the best interests of the club and myself. I’m going to make my decision after the meeting this week.”