Lehmann could leave Arsenal, says Wenger

LONDON COLNEY, England, Feb 2 (Reuters) Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann may leave the club at the end of the season after initial talks over a new contract left his future unresolved, manager Arsene Wenger said today.

Wenger expects the 37-year-old's future to be sorted out sooner rather than later but will not budge on his offer of a one-year deal, which he normally gives to players over 30.

The German international is allowed to talk to other clubs about a prospective move as his current contract runs out in July.

''I do not know if he will stay,'' Wenger told reporters at the club's training ground.

''I had a little meeting with him but at the moment we have to sit down again to decide about it. Ideally I would like him to stay. But he will not get more than one year. But what can change is somebody can offer him three years.'' Lehmann has spent four successful seasons at Arsenal but Wenger is willing to run the risk of him signing for someone else.

''What we talk about is between him and me. We'll speak about a contract in a few weeks,'' he said. ''He can sign for someone else. That's a risk I take. We have three top goalkeepers here and I would like to settle it before the summer.

''But if he says he's going to leave that won't affect him playing.'' Reuters PDM VP0002