Arsenal Star Robin van Persie: A £35m Target of Real Madrid

Netherlands and Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has reportedly become a target of Real Madrid. A report published in Spanish Daily Marca says Real Madrid is currently lining up a £35 million offer for the Dutch striker who is currently on international duty with Netherlands in the World Cup Football 2010.

Robin van Persie joined Arsenal in 2004 from Feyenoord on a four-year deal. In his initial years, he was not regular in Arsenal’s starting line up, but after the departure of Thierry Henry at the end of the 2007-2008 season, van Persie became the no. 1 striker for the Gunners. Over the last two seasons, he was proved to be a prolific goal scorer.

There is no doubt, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger would like to keep his hold on the Dutch, given that Arsenal is near to get over its financial trouble. However, there are many including Mourinho who believe that the kind of offer would surely tempt Wenger to give it a second thought.

Arsenal has recently signed former Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh for free. There are many who now believe that Robin van Persie and Chamakh could form a lethal force in attack backed up by the creative players like Fabregas and Arshavin. From this point of view, it seems less likely that Arsene Wenger would like to break the set up without having even tested it.

However, there is a slight possibility Wenger could consider weighing up the value of £35 million and Robin van Persie. Through negotiations Arsenal could even make it around £40 million in what would be a huge amount for the Gunners. Such an amount could easily bankroll Wenger’s total Summer signings including Laurent Koscielny and he could further invest around £20 million on a young talented striker.

However, it looks less likely that Wenger would be tempted to sell Robin van Persie who grew up as a player at Arsenal.