Ajax open a path to the versatile Jan Vertonghen

Arsene Wenger is hoping a strong finish to the season will convince Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott to stay, but he's also going after others, such as Jan Vertonghen of Ajax.

Jan Vertonghen, centre, can play left-back, in central defence or as a holding midfielder, is hoping for a transfer to Arsenal over the summer. His club, Ajax, says they are open to bids.

Arsenal have been presented with an invitation to sign the Belgium international Jan Vertonghen as part to the club's efforts to restore their competitiveness in the Premier League and convince key players not to leave them.

The Dutch club Ajax have agreed to allow the versatile left-sided defender to leave if their €13 million (Dh63.7m) asking price is met and the player's preference is to join the London club.

Vertonghen, who turns 25 this month, can play in central defence, left-back or as a holding midfielder.

He has admirers across the continent. The two Manchester clubs have monitored him closely, and Tottenham regard the Belgian as a potential successor to Ledley King.

Part of Arsenal's appeal to Vertonghen is his friendship with international colleague and former Ajax teammate Thomas Vermaelen, who has introduced him to Arsene Wenger on trips to the UK.

A further attraction is London's suitability to Sophie de Vries, Vertonghen's girlfriend, who is pursuing a career as a theatre director.

Vertonghen has said that he will not prioritise financial terms; a salary of £3m (Dh17.6m) is likely at Arsenal. He is, however, keen to have his future determined early in the summer. Last week, he said he hopes to have "clarity" in June.

At the other end of the pitch, Arsenal have contacted Olivier Giroud to assess the France international striker's interest in joining the team. The French first division's leading scorer believes he will be allowed to leave Montpellier for a fee of between €10m to €15m despite his club president's statements that the tall and technically able striker is worth four times that amount.

Wenger already has secured the €13m acquisition of the Germany striker Lukas Podolski, and has discussed taking Salomon Kalou on a free transfer from Chelsea. The Ivory Coast forward has refused to renew his contract at Stamford Bridge, telling friends that his ambition is to play for Arsenal.

Whether this movement will be enough to convince Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott to extend their contracts remains to be seen.

Van Persie will need to be rewarded with Arsenal's richest deal; he has provisionally agreed a contract worth £210,000 a week should he join Manchester City.

Also entering his final year, Walcott has been unimpressed by Wenger's efforts to retain him to date. Asked last week when Arsenal would secure his two leading scorers, Wenger said: "Very early.

"To say that I am always confident, yes, I am. Of course we want to keep our best players.

"These players want to win things and they want to be in a team that has a chance. Our end of season will help … me convince them that they can. It depends now how well we finish."

Arsenal lost 2-1 to QPR on Saturday.

"Newspapers open talks now. They should inform me how much they offer and for how long because I would like to know."

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