Van Persie turns down Arsenal
London – Robin van Persie has rejected the offer of a new Arsenal contract, the striker announced via his official website on Wednesday.
The Dutch international has a year left on his current deal with the
English Premier League club, who could now be tempted to cash in on
their prize asset, rather than see him leave for nothing on a Bosman
free transfer at the end of next season.
“I’ve thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend
my contract,” Van Persie, who scored 37 goals in 48 appearance for
Arsenal last season, including 30 in the Premier League, said Wednesday.
“You guys, the fans, have of course the right to disagree with my view
and decision and I will always respect your opinions,” added the
28-year-old, whose performances last season saw him named Player of the
Year by both his fellow professionals in the Premier League and
England’s Football Writers’ Association.
Premier League champions Manchester City and Italian title-holders
Juventus are among the clubs to have been repeatedly linked with signing
the Dutchman.
Van Persie added he had met with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and chief
executive Ivan Gazidis at the end of last season to discuss his future
but had been disappointed by the answers he’d received regarding the
Gunners’ ambitions.
Since signing from Dutch side Feyenoord in 2004, Van Persie has won just one major trophy with Arsenal – the 2005 FA Cup.
It is a poor return for a player of his talent and he said it was a
desire to win silverware that was behind his decision to leave the
Emirates Stadium.
“This is an update for the fans about
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