Fiji Airways men's 7s team ended its 22 tournament losing drought by winning the Dubai 7s against Spain 19-5, SVNS pic

Midway Car Rental



Van Persie on the move

International Sports

Robin Van Persie said he will not sign a new contract at Arsenal.Robin Van Persie said he will not sign a new contract at Arsenal.ROBIN VAN PERSIE has kicked open the door to a move to Manchester City by declaring he will not sign a new contract at Arsenal.

 

The Dutch striker dropped the bombshell with an announcement on his website yesterday, saying he did not feel he could win the trophies he craves with Arsenal.

 

He added, with a further twist, that after his meeting in May with manager Arsene Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis, he could not agree with them about the direction the club is heading.

 

Van Persie, 28, said his motivation is winning trophies rather than money.

 

The striker, who scored 37 goals for Arsenal last season, said in his statement: “I’ve thought long and hard about it but I have decided not to extend my contract.” Arsenal responded last night, issuing a statement in which they indicated they want to keep Van Persie at the club for the final year of his contract.

 

The statement said: “We have to respect Robin’s decision not to renew his contract. Robin has one year to run on his current contract and we are confident that he will fulfil his commitments to the club.

 

“We are planning with ambition and confidence for next season with Arsenal’s best interests in mind.”

 

Arsenal are keen to avoid the saga of last summer when they tried to hold on to Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, only to lose them both.

 

But Van Persie reveals a real rift between the player and club and it is hard to see a way back for him. In his statement, he added: “I had a meeting with the boss [Wenger] and Mr Gazidis after the season. This was a meeting about the club’s future strategy and their policy. Financial terms or a contract have not been discussed, since that is not my priority at all.

 

“I, personally, have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days.

 

“Out of my huge respect for Mr Wenger, the players and the fans, I don’t want to go into any details but, unfortunately, in this meeting it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal FC should move forward.

 

“You guys, the fans, have of course the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions. I love the club and the fans, no matter what happens. I have grown up and become a man during my time with Arsenal FC.

 

“As soon as Mr Gazidis is back from his two-week holiday in America, further meetings will follow and I will update you if and when there are more developments.”

 

With Arsenal keen to keep the player who has been at the club eight years since his £2.75?million move from Feyenoord, there could be a stand-off – with Manchester City waiting to pounce.

 

City boss Roberto Mancini declared his interest in Van Persie at the end of last season and they are prepared to offer £20m and hand him a contract of £220,000 a week.

 

Barcelona and Real Madrid are also interested, while Italian champions Juventus have already had an £8m bid rejected.

 

City, despite their wealth, will have to balance the books by selling Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz and also possibly Edin Dzeko to comply with the Financial Fair Play rules.

 

Losing Van Persie would be a bitter blow for Wenger, who only this week said the club want to keep him “at all costs”.

 

City have already raided the Emirates for Kolo Toure, Adebayor and, last summer, Gael Clichy as well as that acrimonious departure of Nasri.

 

Van Persie’s statement comes on the day that Germany forward Lukas Podolski officially joined the club.

 

His signing, along with the £13m capture of France striker Olivier Giroud, pointed to Arsenal signalling their ambition to have a real tilt at the Premier League and Champions League next season.

 

But Van Persie was not convinced that these signings will be enough to mount a challenge.

 

Share
meter for a website