Arsenal desperate to keep RVP as Holt gets deal

Arsene Wenger maintains Arsenal must keep their captain Robin van Persie "at all costs" as they look to resolve the Dutchman's long-term future. The Gunners have brought in Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski, but there is still work to be done to convince Van Persie to extend his contract past next summer. The Italian champions Juventus have made their interest clear, along with Manchester City. Van Persie, 28, scored 37 goals in all competitions for Arsenal. "We want to keep Robin van Persie at all costs, because we depend on him offensively. I have always supported him even in the hardest times, and I hope he will end his career at Arsenal," Wenger wrote on his blog. Jordi Alba is to undergo his medical with Barcelona tomorrow as he puts the finishing touches on his €14 million (Dh64.8m) move from Valencia. Barca announced last week they had agreed to a deal with Valencia for the 23-year-old attacking left-back, who on Sunday helped Spain retain their European Championship title with a 4-0 final victory over Italy. The move is now set to be completed this week. Diego Forlan dismissed reports linking him with a move away from Inter Milan. The Brazilian side Internacional have expressed an interest in the 33-year-old striker, provided the former Atletico Madrid star terminates his contract with Inter, which runs until June 2013. "For the time being I have a contract with Inter and in the next few days I will return to Italy," Forlan told an Italian football website. Forlan, who is also a reported target of the Brazil side Corinthians, scored two goals in 22 appearances for Inter last season. Grant Holt has agreed a new three-year deal to stay at Norwich City. The 31-year-old striker, who scored 15 goals to help keep the Canaries in the Premier League, handed in a transfer request at the end of last season that was rejected by the club. Following talks with the new Norwich manager Chris Hughton, who took over after Paul Lambert left for Aston Villa, it was confirmed yesterday the club captain Holt would remain at the club.