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19 March 2024

End for Arsenal: Van Persie will go...

Robin van Persie is yet to agree on a new contract at Arsenal. (FILE)

Published
By Staff

Arsenal fear Robin van Persie is set to leave Emirates after the Euros despite their intentions of making him their highest paid player in the club's history.

The Gunners are willing to make their talismanic captain Van Persie a £130,000-a-week contract, plus a £5million-a-year signing on fee.

But Arsenal's worst fears were confirmed when Van Persie found an excuse to stall contract negotiations.

Van Persie has told Arsenal that no amount of money can keep him at the Emirates if the club cannot convince him they will win trophies, according to The Sun.

This is despite Arsenal having already signed striker Lukas Podolski from Cologne and have also made an enquiry about Montpellier's Olivier Giroud and Yanny M'Villa.

Van Persie's tactics appears to be a replay of the transfer saga featuring Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri last summer.

He is testing the resolve of manager Arsene Wenger and the club hierarchy by weighing his options with just a year left on his contract.

Premier League champions Manchester City are poised with a £20 million offer for Van Persie who scored 30 goals during the league.

Van Persie's agent Kees Vos, has been spotted at City but has stressed he has never discussed his client with Etihad officials.

Having said money is not the issue and winning trophies is the motivating factor if he were to leave, Van Persie could earn the ire of Emirates if he were to eventually join City.

Arsenal would also be determined to do everything within their means to prevent an exodus to Etihad having already lost Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gael Clichy and Nasri to City in recent years.

Manchester United, Juventus and Anzhi Makhachkala also expressing an interest.

If Van Persie does make it clear he wants to leave, then Arsenal may carry out their threat of holding him to the final year of his contract and risk losing him for free in 12 months.

Anzhi are prepared to offer Van Persie a staggering £300,000-a-week deal, according to The Sun.

They would not mind Van Persie going to Europe but will certainly pull out all stops to help City retain their title.

Spain could provide a solution to all parties as Van Persie is understood to be keen on the prospect of Real Madrid or Barca and Arsenal would rather sell their captain abroad if they have to let him go.
 

Arsenal target French striker, to join RVP, Podolski

Arsenal have opened talks for Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud.

According to a report in the Daily Mail (https://bit.ly/LPlXxn), Arsene Wenger instructed French-based scout Gilles Grimandi to compile a dossier on the French international striker.

Giroud, 25, is rated at £50million, but it is understood he has a £12.8m release clause.

Wenger has a few on his bench that have not worked out for him and who he could throw in to sweeten any deal – not least Marouane Chamakh.

Giroud scored 26 times as Montpellier won Ligue 1 but has already spoken with Bayern Munich, according to The Daily Mail report

Should Giroud come to the Emirates it would create a potent attacking force for the Gunners with Robin Van Persie and Lukas Podolski.