Juve not for me, says Van Persie as striker hints at Arsenal stay
Robin van Persie has given the clearest hint yet that he is ready to stay at Arsenal after indicating it would take an ‘extraordinary’ offer to make him leave.
Juventus have become the first major European club to publicly state their intention to sign the Holland striker. But Sportsmail understands Van Persie will reject the attempt to lure him to Italy as he does not deem a move to Juventus as a significant step up from Arsenal.
And Van Persie has told close friends that it would take an extra special offer from one of Europe’s elite to tempt him away from the Emirates Stadium.
The 28-year-old has indicated he and his wife Bouchra are settled in London and have recently moved into a new house.
The news will provide encouragement to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is desperate to hang on to his skipper.
Van Persie, who will discuss a new contract after Sunday’s match at West Bromwich, can expect a significant increase on his basic £70,000-per-week salary as the club look to secure his long-term future.
Even if an agreement over a new deal cannot be reached, Wenger has hinted he could allow Van Persie to stay for the final year of his deal.
On fire: Van Persie has been in stunning form for Arsenal this season
Van Persie’s decision not to leave Arsenal except for a European superpower will provide encouragement to Barcelona and Real Madrid.
But Arsenal officials are growing increasingly confident that they can fend off interest from La Liga.
Whether Real Madrid are even in the market for a new centre forward remains to be seen after manager Jose Mourinho insisted he wants to keep Chelsea target Gonzalo Higuain next season.
And Barcelona would be forced to spend the majority of their £25million summer transfer budget to land Van Persie, leaving them unable to chase a long-term replacement for centre back Carles Puyol.
In the market: Serie A champions Juventus are keen on signing Van Persie
Manchester City are also interested but it is understood the striker would find it hard to join another English club given his bond with Arsenal.
The fact Van Persie is prepared to reject a club with the global standing of Juventus is a major blow to the Serie A champions.
‘Van Persie is a great player,’ said Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta, who still hopes to persuade the Holland striker to join them. ‘He is a complete player and would be useful to any team. But he still has one year left in his contract with Arsenal.
‘We will try to put the icing on the cake this summer but the important thing is that the mix is good.’
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