Arsenal striker and talisman Robin van Persie now looks certain to leave the club this summer.
Premier League giants Manchester United are current favourites to sign the striker, but are believed to be struggling to negotiate a deal with the Gunners.
Cheap
Van Persie’s contract does expire next summer. However, Arsenal are refusing to let the striker leave on the cheap.
Arsenal obviously don’t want their skipper to leave the Emirates and are holding out for as much money as they can get.
They could be playing a dangerous game though. Should they wait too long to sell the striker, then they could be left with nothing. In January Robin Van Persie would be able to negotiate with foreign clubs and leave Arsenal without a fee next summer.
Arsenal have now accepted that he Van Persie won’t be extending his contract, so in the next few weeks will probably have to accept a offer from somebody, in order to recoup a fee for their star man.
Options
Manchester United have bid for the 29 year-old, but according to United boss Sir Alex Ferguson Arsenal are giving nothing away. The likes of Manchester City and Juventus have also shown an interest in Van Persie.
The Dutch striker hasn’t yet revealed his preferred destination. A move to Old Trafford must be a tempting one for the Holland international though.
Similar
I’m not surprised that Manchester United are trying to sign Van Persie because he is a top quality player, who could add something to the Red Devils team. United already has Wayne Rooney, who seems to play in the same sort of space Van Persie likes to occupy.
Last season the Dutch striker played far more as a number nine, instead of playing as a number ten. Both Rooney and Van Persie are quality players, but are they too similar to form a good partnership?
Rooney and Van Persie sounds like a strike force from somebody’s fantasy football team. It might seem ideal and guarantee goals, but would it work? I’m not convinced.
Injuries
Last season was the first in Robin Van Persie’s Arsenal career that he managed to avoid injuries. This resulted in him finishing top goal scorer in the Premier League with 30 goals. I just wonder if next season he will be so lucky.
He has been very injury prone throughout his career and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has stuck with him through thick and thin.
Marquee
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been looking to bring in a marquee signing this summer. He has brought in the likes of Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell, but he has been looking for a big name signing to signal United’s intent this season.
It seems likely that United are going to miss out on Brazilian wonderkid Lucas Moura, after PSG seemingly gazumped United. Sir Alex Ferguson has refused to raise United’s bid and stated that he thought it was amazing that PSG were willing to spend £35million on a 19 year-old boy.
It looks likely that Robin Van Persie could be that marquee signing. Van Persie was outstanding last season and he would be a great signing for United. Whether they can agree terms with Arsenal over a deal this summer is another matter.
Saga
The future of Robin van Persie has turned into yet another Arsenal summer transfer saga. There seems to be one every summer. Last summer it was Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri and this summer Van Persie.
I have a feeling that Robin Van Persie will probably end up at Old Trafford this summer, one-way or another. I’m sure the majority of Arsenal fans are sick of the speculation about the future of their captain.
The quicker he moves on the better. Arsenal can then move on and try to find a replacement. However, knowing Arsene Wenger he probably believes that Oliver Giroud is Van Persie’s replacement and won’t spend any of the money received from the sale of the Dutchman.
Arsenal have spent money this summer, but if they lose Van Persie then it will take more than the presence of Premier League newcomer Giroud to fill the gap.
Will Robin Van Persie be heading for Old Trafford this summer?
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