According to the News of the World, Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie wants his weekly salary to be hiked to £80,000 a week. The Dutch forward, 25, joined Arsenal from Feyenoord in 2004 for £2.75m, and has been in outstanding form for the Gunners this season, scoring 12 goals for the club, including two vital ones in the London derby against Chelsea. He also found the net in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool.
Van Persie had signed a contract extension in January 2006, which will keep him at the Emirates Stadium till 2011. However his squad status has significantly improved thanks to his performances in 2008, and he recently captained Arsenal for the first time against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup in the absence of Cesc Fabregas and Manuel Almunia.
William Gallas and Emmanuel Adebayor are currently the highest paid players at Arsenal, with both reportedly earning £80,000 a week.
Van Persie has been linked with Barcelona in the past, with the Catalan giants reportedly feeling that the Dutchman fits their idea of a left footed winger. He currently earns somewhere between £35,000-£40,000 a week at Arsenal.