Daily Mirror
SIR Alex Ferguson has been warned it will take an “unbelievable” offer to persuade Arsenal to sell Robin van Persie to him.
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger will not sell for less than £20m — and will demand a premium fee of more than £25m from Fergie and Manchester United because Arsenal do not want to do business with a direct Premier League rival.
Meanwhile, Juventus, who have also been chasing the Dutch striker, have claimed van Persie has told them he will not move to Italy, but was signing for another club.
Wenger still believes he can persuade van Persie to stay, even though United are expected to make an improved offer for him before the end of the week.
Van Persie trained with his team-mates at Arsenal’s pre-season camp in Germany on Wednesday night, ahead of their away friendly against Cologne on Sunday, and the club insist nothing has been agreed with United.
“We have made a bid and they’ve been trying to negotiate with other clubs,” said Ferguson after United’s friendly against Barcelona on Wednesday night.
“I don’t have a gut feeling on it at the moment, I must admit.
“We’re not getting any breakthrough with Arsenal. It’s difficult to say why they’re operating this way.
“I don’t know what their thoughts are, because they’re not giving anything away,” Ferguson said.
Even though van Persie has been training hard and is understood to be impressed with Arsenal’s summer spending spree, his statement that he will not sign a new contract to replace the one that expires at the end of the coming season still leaves them with a major dilemma.
Arsenal do not want to risk losing van Persie on a free transfer next summer, which may tempt them to sell even if the signs are encouraging that the striker is having a change of heart.
The Mirror understands that van Persie has told Manchester City that he does not want to join them.
Now Juventus are out of the running, United are likely to test Arsenal’s, and van Persie’s, resolve with another bid.
But Wenger and the club’s hierarchy are determined to hold out for a much bigger price if they end up selling to a rival.
Arsenal are not convinced United will meet their asking price because of van Persie’s age — he turned 29 at the start of this week — and the fact he is only one year away from leaving the Emirates on a Bosman.
Elsewhere, Wenger may consider a big offer from Barcelona for Alex Song, but is under no pressure to sell as the midfielder’s contract does not expire until 2015.
Arsenal would also want a ready-made replacement to be lined up before doing business with Barca.
They have been tracking Real Madrid’s Turkish midfielder Nuri Sahi, who’s also been linked with Liverpool, for a one-year loan deal.
Rennes and France midfielder Yann M’Vila has also been a long-term target.
Remind yourself of all the twists and turns in the van Persie saga with our transfer timeline, and read Steve Stammers’ column on why Arsenal fans should remember Robin’s model pro-conduct since that infamous contract statement.
I don't understand Ferguson when he says: "We have made a bid and they've been trying to negociate with other clubs". What does he think? arsenal sould'nt talk to any clubs because the royal Man United are already in talk with them? What a childish comment. Listen Sir Alex, Van Persie is one of the most valuable players of the entire planet at this moment. If you want him you'll have to pay what Arsenal believe his value is. No silly comment will do you a favor. Do you think anybody can come and make a bid for Rooney just like that?
Why don't man u give arsenal what they want rvp can bring them trophies worth more than 25m nevermind his injuries and his age they will benefit bigtime from him
If Arsenal wants 5m more, I suggest Fergie should budge and give the gunners what they want before Wenger convinces rvp to stay. Is fergie gonna lose his target again for mere 5m? Remember, at first Utd bidded 20m for moura, and then when soa paolo asked for 35m, utd delayed and come with a 30m bid. If utd hadn't delay, and come up with the 30m bid the very next day after their first offer was rejected, moura could have been ours. I tink 25m for player of rvp calibre is a bargain. If you using the excuse of rvp is injury prone, that's why 15 m is reasonable. In soccer, anyone can get injured just like vidic, hargreaves, jones, smalling or evans.
This delaying tactics allowed psg to scupper moura from utd. I'm afraid the same delaying tactics would allow wenger to convince rvp to stay @ arsenal. Wenger has clearly said that he wanted 20m so offer 22m and wait for arsenal response. Utd must act decisesively. Use the money that was almost used to buy moura.
Anyway, i personally feel that utd don't need rvp, We should buy a box to box midfieder and a left back.
you are the one of arsenal legent keep up 2 continew focus and make it porsible it for your self plese rvp
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