Robin Van Persie Subject Of Bids From Manchester City And Manchester United, According To Reports

Both Manchester Clubs Bid For Van Persie, Say Reports

Manchester City, Manchester United and Italian champions Juventus have bid for Arsenal striker Robin van Persie, according to reports.

The BBC say the Dutchman will also not travel with the Gunners on their pre-season tour, as any chances of the striker making a U-turn on plans not to extend his contract are extinguished.

United's bid has already been rejected for Van Persie, 28, who revealed two weeks ago his intentions to leave Arsenal, with his form last season attracting attention from some of Europe's biggest clubs.

City have never hidden their interest in the Premier League's top scorer for the 2011/12 season, with manager Roberto Mancini revealing his admiration in March. But although Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger would be loathe to selling yet another player to the Citizens, the alleged bids tabled by United and Scudetto winners Juve should elevate Van Persie's worth.

Each club have apparently offered around £15m, but Wenger will almost certainly hold out for a minimum of £20m - the same amount reaped from the sale of Samir Nasri to City last year. The Frenchman, like Van Persie, had entered the final year of his contract at the Emirates Stadium.

Voted the Professional Footballers' Association and Football Writers' Association Player of the Year for 2011/12, Van Persie joined Arsenal from Feyenoord for £2.5m in 2004, but has won only one trophy in eight years at the Reds.

He scored in the FA Cup final penalty shootout as Arsenal beat Manchester United, but has been involved in Champions League and League Cup final defeats.

Arsenal have added forwards Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud to their strikeforce already this summer, perhaps to compensate for Van Persie's probable departure.

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