Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is confident the club will secure in-form striker Robin van Persie on a new long-term contract.
The Dutch marksman, who is the Gunners' leading scorer with nine Premier League goals, currently has 18 months remaining on his Emirates deal.
Both parties actually sat down to open negotiations two months ago, but they were postponed as the club underwent a boardroom reshuffle.
Although Arsenal are reportedly just shy of matching Van Persie's wage demands, Wenger is confident an agreement can be reached.
"He knows how much it means to me and we will try to sort him out," said Wenger. "I'm convinced it means a lot to Robin to stay here.
"I've invested a lot of time in them (Van Persie and Theo Walcott) because I feel it is important to them and it means something to them to be at this club.
"He wants to be part of the club and, of course, we have to satisfy his demands as well. I don't think that we're far away."
Van Persie's blistering form has coincided with an injury-free spell and Wenger's main concern is not trying to rely on the 25-year-old's services too heavily.
"I believe him being fit has helped him greatly. He is a player who has made an extreme improvement," he continued.
"When you consider the player who arrived here, and who he is today, it's absolutely fantastic. He has ingredients which are very important - talent and motivation.
"The danger is to overplay him at the moment because we still have to be a bit cautious with him."
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