Arsenal's chief kept in dark by Wenger

It was revealed on Monday that Wenger was going to use David Dein's return to Emirates Stadium as part of his negotiating plan over an extension to his contract.

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Former vice-chairman Dein left the club in April and the Gunners manager would like to see him return before committing beyond his existing deal which ends in 2008.

"I am really hopeful he [Wenger] will extend but I am only in a position of hoping," Hill-Wood said.

"I've no reason to think he won't but at the same time I have no reason to believe he will say 'yes'.

"Certainly we would like to see him sign a new contract - we've made no secret about that - but we haven't discussed details about anything with him or the board.

"We will wait and see what he wants to do. Then we can sit down and discuss things if he is positive about it. I am very relaxed. We're in good shape."

Dein's return will only happen if American Stanley Kroenke takes over at Arsenal and for the time being, Wenger is going to sit tight.

The Frenchman will not be leaving before his contract ends and a sign of his immediate commitment will be the appointment of his countryman Gilles Grimandi, who is set to be put in charge of transfer negotiations.

The former Arsenal utility player will not be in a director of football role and won't have the same powers that Dein did have. Grimandi will be elevated from his post as the Gunners' scout in France to take on a newly-created executive post.

His appointment will offload some of the burden from Wenger, who has taken on Dein's player recruitment role in tandem with director Ken Friar since the former Gunners vice-chairman was ousted by the the board.

Grimandi has held initial talks with Wenger about his role and a contract is likely to be signed soon after Wenger returns from holiday on Monday to take charge of pre-season training.

It is understood that the 36-year-old, who spent five years at Arsenal as a player, will not have a seat on the board and will not be a 'public face' of the club as Dein was.

Instead, Grimandi will remain in the background, working with Wenger on negotiating player transfers.

Wenger is said to be "very close" to his fellow Frenchman who has gained both Wenger's trust and respect for his football knowledge and expertise.

A contract has yet to be put before Grimandi but, although negotiations are at an early stage, a deal could be sealed next week.