Arsene Wenger insists Theo Walcott's contract stand-off has never been just about money.
Gunners boss Wenger says he is "encouraged" by the ongoing negotiations and recent soundings from Walcott as they look to tie up a new deal for the England forward.
Walcott, 23, has been stalling on Arsenal's £75,000-a-week contract offer but Wenger is confident that he will sign when they meet again for the first round of face-to-face talks.
Wenger said: "I only speak for our side, and my side is that we want him to stay here. Of course I don't want to speak much more about that situation because it can be misinterpreted and I don't think he is only interested by money. I don't believe that.
"We are talking. Yes [I am encouraged by the talks]. It's very difficult to be predictable in this kind of situation but I always said that our desire is there to do it as quickly as possible. We are ready to do it."
Walcott and his advisers are due to meet in the next few days. It is understood Walcott wants the deal to be right, wants a chance to play up front and is desperate for Arsenal to be challenging for trophies.
But the parties now seem to be edging towards agreement even though Walcott knows he could earn far more if he waited until he was a free agent at the end of the season.
Wenger believes Walcott signing and staying would give the whole club a lift, especially with Liverpool, Chelsea and both Manchester clubs interested in signing him.
Wenger added: "I believe he is ready to play everywhere, Theo. Up front he enjoys it maybe more because it's a new experience for him. He always wanted to do it. Will that play a part in his decision? I don't know, only he can answer that question.
"First of all what I said is that we have to make sure that the players who are here stay here. After we look outside. So let's first try to finalise the deal with Theo Walcott, and after if we need something else we will go somewhere. Our first priority is that.
"You want to have a positive influence on players' careers. That is the most important. Of course you want that to be here at our club and I think it will happen."
Meanwhile, Arsenal are close to offloading out-of-favour centre halves Sebastien Squillaci and Johan Djourou who is likely to join Hannover on loan.
Squillaci will be given a free transfer if he can find a club.
Wenger added: "Squillaci, if he finds a club, he will certainly go. Djourou might go somewhere as well, that will be decided in the next 48 to 72 hours."
Source : Mirror.co.uk
