RVP saga set to continue as asking price is not met

14 August 2012 17:17

Arsenal's £20million asking price for Robin van Persie has yet to be met by any club, Press Association Sport understands.

Van Persie announced six weeks ago that he was determined to leave the Gunners, but despite strong interest from Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus, the 29-year-old remains an Arsenal player.

Arsenal rejected a bid from Manchester United for the striker three weeks ago and although the London club appear to have reduced their asking price to £20million, Van Persie still has not secured the move to Old Trafford that he is understood to want.

While confusion surrounds the striker's future, what is clear is that his suitors value him highly.

Old Trafford appears to be Van Persie's preferred destination, but Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany would love to see Van Persie, who scored a staggering 37 goals last season, move to the Etihad Stadium.

"It's very easy to say you want to play next to Robin van Persie," Kompany told Sky Sports News. "He's a great player. He's proved it so many times last season and any team he would play for he'd make it stronger."

Van Persie made his only pre-season appearance for Arsenal on Sunday against Cologne.

The Dutchman, whose contract expires at the end of the 2012-13 season, was booed by a section of the travelling support when he came off the bench, but Arsenal centre-back Thomas Vermaelen is still confident his captain will stay.

"To me he looks fit and sharp in training," Vermaelen said. "He's working hard. He's working on his fitness. I don't see anything (different) and I hope he stays the next four years as well."

Van Persie cited Arsenal's supposed lack of ambition as one of his reasons for wanting to leave, but the London club have been busy in the transfer market this summer, signing Olivier Giroud, Lukas Podolski and Santiago Cazorla.

Source: PA