Wenger Sets RVP Deadline
23 July 2012
Wenger
Arsene Wenger has hinted that he will not allow Robin van Persie’s transfer saga to drag all the way until the start of the new season.
Van Persie has stated that he does not want to sign a new deal with Arsenal, which means he could leave for free at the end of his contract in 12 months’ time.
Juventus, Manchester United and Manchester City have all made bids for the Gunners skipper, but none of them have yet come close to the London club’s estimation of the Dutchman’s value.
Wenger still maintains a faint hope of keeping van Persie beyond his current deal, but is also cognisant of getting the best price for the striker should he leave.
Wenger also maintains that Arsenal have set an “internal deadline” for when the RVP situation should be resolved, and that is likely to be before the official transfer deadline day.
"Van Persie is a world-class striker and I am a big supporter of him. I have supported him through his whole career. He has one year left and is in demand but our desire is to keep him” Wenger said from Malaysia, where the Gunners are on pre-season tour (without van Persie).
"However, we will do what is in best interest of the club. If you have a decoder in your head you can decode that."
"The official transfer deadline is August 31 but then we can create an internal deadline," Wenger added.
And when asked if Arsenal’s own deadline would be before the end of the pre-season transfer window, Wenger said: "Of course. I believe the transfer market should stop before the season starts anyway."