Manchester United have been earned a huge upper hand in the race to sign Robin van Persie, with reports suggesting that the striker would prefer a move to Old Trafford than across the city to the Etihad Stadium.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed on Friday that the Red Devils were in the market for the 28-year old striker, and had already seen a bid, believed to be around £10 million, turned down by the Gunners. However, this latest revelation has strengthened United’s chances of landing the Dutchman, with Ferguson set to submit an improved offer next week.
Van Persie reportedly is keen on joining a club with a strong sense of tradition, and has a deep respect for United’s culture and history. Additionally, the fact that the Red Devils showed an interest in him back in 2009 has left Van Persie flattered, with the frontman honoured that the Red Devils have been coveting him for so long.
Furthermore, what is working against Manchester City is Emmanuel Adebayor’s continued presence at the Etihad Stadium. Van Persie and Adebayor were involved in an ugly exchange of words in 2009, when the Togolese international was handed a ban for stamping on Van Persie’s face. The Dutchman called the challenge ‘mindless and malicious’, and has never been able to see eye to eye with his former Arsenal teammate since.
A potential stumbling block for United however would be the player’s wages, with the Red Devils not expected to reach City’s £225,000-per-week, or even Juventus’ £190,000-a-week deal for Van Persie.
Wenger on the other hand has slowly been resigned to the fact that his talisman will leave over the summer, saying on Saturday: “It’s more important that we focus on the season to come. We’ve learnt that it’s vital to focus on the start of the season rather than any transfers. If the transfers happen they happen.”
Wenger would however prefer to sell him to Juventus than hand his biggest ace to a league rival, and is least interested in doing business with United, who have been the Frenchman’s biggest adversaries during his 16-year spell with the Gunners.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed on Friday that the Red Devils were in the market for the 28-year old striker, and had already seen a bid, believed to be around £10 million, turned down by the Gunners. However, this latest revelation has strengthened United’s chances of landing the Dutchman, with Ferguson set to submit an improved offer next week.
Van Persie reportedly is keen on joining a club with a strong sense of tradition, and has a deep respect for United’s culture and history. Additionally, the fact that the Red Devils showed an interest in him back in 2009 has left Van Persie flattered, with the frontman honoured that the Red Devils have been coveting him for so long.
Furthermore, what is working against Manchester City is Emmanuel Adebayor’s continued presence at the Etihad Stadium. Van Persie and Adebayor were involved in an ugly exchange of words in 2009, when the Togolese international was handed a ban for stamping on Van Persie’s face. The Dutchman called the challenge ‘mindless and malicious’, and has never been able to see eye to eye with his former Arsenal teammate since.
A potential stumbling block for United however would be the player’s wages, with the Red Devils not expected to reach City’s £225,000-per-week, or even Juventus’ £190,000-a-week deal for Van Persie.
Wenger on the other hand has slowly been resigned to the fact that his talisman will leave over the summer, saying on Saturday: “It’s more important that we focus on the season to come. We’ve learnt that it’s vital to focus on the start of the season rather than any transfers. If the transfers happen they happen.”
Wenger would however prefer to sell him to Juventus than hand his biggest ace to a league rival, and is least interested in doing business with United, who have been the Frenchman’s biggest adversaries during his 16-year spell with the Gunners.
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