Arsene Wenger has stressed he will be manager at Arsenal next season but he stopped short of committing his long-term future to the Premiership club.
After the turmoil of the departure of vice-chairman David Dein in April after disagreements over a potential takeover, a disappointing fourth-placed finish and continuing transfer rumours about captain Thierry Henry, Wenger has given Arsenal some good news.
"I have a contract for one more year here and I will complete that contract," he said. "I have never broken a contract in my entire career and I will not break a contract now. So I can tell you categorically that I will be at the club next season. And next summer I will sit down with the board and see."
Wenger knows he needs to strengthen his squad after injuries - most notably to Henry - resulting in a frustrating last few months of the season.
However, he will not be rushing into the transfer market at any price.
"There's absolutely no need to panic. We finished fourth in the table - level on points with Liverpool - and we have a very young side which, I believe, can improve again this season," he added. "We will bring in new people only if they are exceptional players."
AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti has played down speculation he is set to make a summer swoop for Henry.
The Milan chief indicated last week the French hitman was among his transfer targets this summer and Henry admitted he was delighted to hear about the Italian club's interest.
In a newspaper interview, Henry revealed he was upset at the departure of Dein last season and said: "I cannot deny it's nice to hear about Milan."
On Saturday, however, Ancelotti attempted to cool the transfer talk by insisting that Henry was just one of a number of potential signings and casting doubt on whether Arsenal would be willing to let their captain leave.
The Milan manager, who has also been linked with Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o and Chelsea's Andriy Shevchenko, said: "Henry is a very good forward, but not the only forward. There are other good strikers.
"Henry has a contract with another club and it is difficult to buy players who have a contract."
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate will take the first step towards rebuilding his forward line by finally signing Jeremie Aliadiere.
The 24-year-old Arsenal frontman is expected to complete a move to the Riverside Stadium when he returns from holiday after both he and the two clubs agreed a deal.
Aliadiere has been a long-term target for Southgate and is not being viewed as a replacement for Mark Viduka, who has joined Newcastle.
Middlesbrough have played down suggestions they could be ready to bring Chelsea midfielder Geremi back to the club where he spent a season on loan earlier in his career.
