Arsenal are prepared to make Thierry Henry the highest paid player in the club's history in an effort to hold onto the prolific French striker. Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood says the club are considering offering the 28-year-old a new four-year deal worth as much as �100,000 a week.
Hill-Wood told The Evening Standard: "We've not talked about the offer yet.
"But it is fair to say he would become the highest paid player in Arsenal's history - and deservedly so."
Henry does not want to enter into discussions over his future until the end of the season, when he will have just 12 months to run on his current deal.
The decision has led to speculation that the France international could quit the club for a move abroad, to Spanish giants Barcelona or Real Madrid.
Barcelona are rumoured to be interested in taking Henry to the Nou Camp, and Henry could leave for a fraction of his market value if his contract is almost up.
But Arsenal are keen to hold on to their mercurial forward.
"We would also have liked to talk before the end of the season but it is Thierry's right to leave it until then," added Hill-Wood. "But we want him to stay and he knows that."
Midfielder Patrick Vieira was reportedly paid �82,000 a week before he left Highbury to join Juventus in the summer, while Henry is believed to be on a salary in the region on �75,000 at the moment.
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