Robin van Persie was ordered to miss Arsenal’s pre-season tour by Arsene Wenger.
The Dutch striker wanted to go on the trip to China and south-east Asia and told his Arsenal team-mates he was keen to be part of the preparations for the new season.
But in their meeting, boss Wenger told Van Persie he felt it was best for the striker to remain in England.
And Manchester United have now emerged as favourites to sign Van Persie – providing the Old Trafford club can avoid a transfer auction.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has made it clear he will not be held to ransom by Arsenal.
The danger to United is that arch-rivals Manchester City have the spending power to top their offer while Juventus also remain interested.
City believe they have tabled the highest bid so far – £15million – but it is still well short of Arsenal’s valuation. Van Persie signed his current four-year deal in July 2009 after long negotiations with the board and manager Wenger.
Even then the Dutchman was wanted by United. At the time van Persie confirmed in an interview in Holland that he was spoilt for choice with United, City, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Juventus knocking on his door. Jose Mourinho was Inter boss at the time.
an Persie said: “I followed my heart. It is my dream to win trophies with Arsenal.
“That is a bigger ambition than earning bigger wages at other clubs.
“In my talks with the club they have said that they have the same ambitions as I have.”
Wenger has insisted he wants £30m. Even with the transfer wrangle hotting up van Persie returned to training last week and was told by team-mates that they hoped he would be around for the coming season.
They also wanted him to go on tour to Asia.
A squad member said: “Everyone was surprised that the boss decided on Thursday that Robin was not allowed to come with us.”
It means that van Persie now has to train with fringe players at London Colney until his future is sorted out.
In his absence, Wenger has named Thomas Vermaelen as Arsenal’s captain during their pre-season tour.
A permanent switch of skipper seems inevitable.
Source : Mirror.co.uk
