Arsene Wenger has once again reiterated his desire to keep rebel striker Robin Van Persie at the club but admits that he could be forced into ‘cashing in’ on the player.
Van Persie, 28, has already announced his decision to not extend his contract at the Emirates which runs till the end of next season. Arsenal officials had offered him a club record deal of £130k per week along with £5m loyalty fee, which the Dutchman turned down citing differences between him and the club as to how the club should move forward.
Manchester duo of United and City are in the race to sign the prolific goal scorer and have reportedly put in bids close to £20m although the Gunners are holding out for a £25m offer. Arsene Wenger spoke of his willingness to keep the club captain but underlined his intention to sort out the player’s future at the earliest.
“Van Persie is a world-class striker and I am a big supporter of him,” said Wenger. “I have supported him through his whole career. He has one year left and is in demand but our desire is to keep him.
“However, we will do what is in best interest of the club. If you have a decoder in your head you can decode that.
“The official transfer deadline is August 31 but then we can create an internal deadline.”
Arsenal boss also spoke against the current system of continuing the transfer window two weeks into the start of a new season.
“Of course. I believe the transfer market should stop before the season starts anyway.”