Van Persie linked to City
5 July 2012 12:30
Cashed-up Manchester City and PSG are the early favourites to prise away Arsenal captain Robin van Persie.
After months of speculation, the Dutch striker effectively submitted a transfer request on Wednesday by ruling out the possibility of signing a new deal when his contract expires at the end of the 2012-13 season.
Van Persie's future has been the subject of speculation all season and his frustration at winning only one FA Cup - in 2005 - in an eight-year association with the club, was evident rather than motivation for any potential financial gains.
Manchester City have already raided Emirates Stadium for the likes of Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure and Gael Clichy in the past three years, and are said to be preparing a 15-million pound bid for van Persie.
Arsenal released a strongly-worded response to van Persie's shock outburst on Wednesday, outlining their determination to ensure the former Feyenoord star fulfils his contractual obligations.
However, the north London club were equally steadfast in their attempts to retain Nasri at the start of last season and ultimately caved in to City, who were able to prise the France midfielder away with a 24-million pound bid.
Ligue 1 club PSG, who are now bankrolled by Qatar's oil-rich, ruling Al Thani family, are desperately searching for a marquee signing to lead the club back into the Champions League and add to the capture of coveted forward Ezequiel Lavezzi from Napoli this week.
The ambitious French side failed in an audacious swoop for David Beckham last season and have been linked with a move for Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric, but will certainly be able to match City in the financial stakes.
Manchester United are the other candidates looking to swoop, manager Sir Alex Ferguson a known admirer of the Dutchman.
Van Persie has been linked with Old Trafford in the past and the club's financial strength is likely to improve following the news that the Glazer family are to float the club on the New York Stock Exchange.
But with Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder, Modric, Nasri last season and Chelsea signing Eden Hazard joining a growing list of players to snub Unite, it may take all of Ferguson's clout to tempt van Persie to the red part of Manchester.
