Manchester City Transfer Rumors: 5 Reasons City Should Not Sign Robin van Persie

The cat’s out of the bag: Robin van Persie wants out (via BBC).

Well, specifically: Robin van Persie doesn’t want to extend his contract with Arsenal.

Regardless, the rumor mill has quite naturally gone into overdrive, and Manchester City, the Premier League’s resident big spenders and reigning champions, have accordingly been linked with yet another Arsenal player, according to The Independent.

Given City’s financial muscle and footballing ambitions, the question isn’t whether City could afford him or whether he would consider joining City.

The question is: Should City go through with the transfer?

Here are five reasons Roberto Mancini should not sign Robin van Persie.

He’s Too Expensive

Yes, you read that right: Robin van Persie is too expensive.

Consider Arsenal’s record-breaking offer reportedly on the table, according to the Daily Mail.

Then consider van Persie’s reported wage demands.

Then consider the imminent UEFA Financial Fair Play rules.

And then consider that City reportedly didn’t feel comfortable sealing a deal for now-Chelsea player Eden Hazard because of his wage demands.

City may have the ability to put together a stunning financial package for van Persie, but the costs involved will be prohibitive.

He’s Not the Right Age

At the time of writing, van Persie turns 29 in less than a month’s time.

On August 6, to be exact.

Which might mark him at the height of his powers, but possibly on the way down in a season or two as well.

While van Persie enjoys hero and talisman status at the Emirates, with Arsene Wenger's famous policy of not offering extended contracts to those around the 30 mark, Wenger will have one eye on the fact that his captain (still) is approaching that age range.

His goals may have earned him the Premier League Golden Boot last season, but are they enough to justify an exorbitant financial outlay?

City Should Be Looking to Build a Dynasty, Not a Short Fix

At his age, Robin van Persie would represent a short fix for Manchester City.

A fantastic and world-class short fix, no doubt, but still a short fix, a stop-gap measure.

With his goals record, he will be expected (and will expect) to walk straight into the first team and carry over his strike rate from last season, not mature into a leading role as he has done for Arsenal.

All of which is well and good for any top club chasing him, but City should be aiming even higher.

They should be looking to build a dynasty.

And building a dynasty involves putting together a squad that can grow and reach the summit together.

Aguero and Balotelli Are the Way Forward

Currently spearheading this dynasty are Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli.

Not too shabby.

In fact, Aguero tied Fernando Torres’ record for goals scored in a foreigner’s debut Premier League season last year, and Balotelli tied Torres’ haul in this summer’s European Championships.

Edin Dzeko might be on his way out, if reports (Daily Mail) are to be believed, but Carlos Tevez, with his renewed commitment to City, already represents a world-class experienced option.

Given Balotelli’s dedication to Roberto Mancini (and vice versa), it is hard to look past the Italian striker as part of a long-term strike partnership aiming to shoot City to glory, and his matured performances for Italy in Euro 2012 will have done him a world of good in his development.

This strikeforce, which has the potential to be the best in the world, simply doesn’t have space for someone who would demand his inclusion in the starting XI.

City Are Stacked in RVP’s Other Positions

Sure, van Persie can play behind the main strikers in the Dennis Bergkamp No. 10 role, or even as an ersatz winger, but City are well-endowed in those positions as well.

Specifically in David Silva and Samir Nasri.

Even if van Persie does settle for a role other than as an out-and-out striker, Silva and Nasri won’t give up their places too easily.

Will van Persie be willing to join a team where he might not be an instant first choice? And will Roberto Mancini be willing to splash out for an expensive signing that might ruin the continuity of his young team?

Debatable at best.

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