Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Ibrahim Afellay Is Key to Re-Signing Robin Van Persie

Arsenal must heed the words of Robin van Persie.

If they do, its odds of retaining him will skyrocket. The latest transfer rumors give the Gunners hope after a discouraging week.

On July 4th, Van Persie let his freedom ring. He announced on his official website that he wouldn’t renew his contract after its final year expired this season. The notice read:

"

I personally have had a great season, but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days. I’ve thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract.

"

Bob Cass and Mark Ryan of the Daily Mail reported that Arsenal’s EPL rivals Manchester United and Manchester City will fight to sign Van Persie. But fear not. A reported rumor from Brendon Netto of Goal.com should breathe new life into the Gunners’ push for a contract extension.

According to Netto, Arsene Wenger will pursue 26-year-old Dutch midfielder Ibrahim Afellay. He would be the Gunners’ third major addition this transfer window after Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski and could make them talented enough in Van Persie’s eyes to compete for a Premier League title. Not only that, RVP is a fan of Afellay’s.

Back in 2010, Van Persie predicted that Afellay would blow up in the World Cup. He raved about the up-and-comer and said (via Goal.com),

"He's developed into a real class act in the past couple of years. We all knew that he's a great player, but he has taken his game to the next level recently."

Downright genius.

If any transaction would keep Van Persie in an Arsenal uniform, it’d be the acquisition of his Netherlands teammate Afellay. Wenger must make the move happen or RVP could be nothing but Gunner history.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels