Arsenal Transfer News: Robin Van Persie Reportedly Pulls out of Preseason Tour

Arsenal captain and star striker Robin van Persie is understood to have pulled out of the club's preseason tour of Malaysia and China—potentially opening the door to a move to Manchester City for the striker—according to Goal.com.

Van Persie recently stunned everyone by confirming that he would not re-sign with the Gunners at the end of this year. As a result, the Dutch striker established himself as the hottest name over the summer transfer window and a transfer prospect for several world-class clubs.

Manchester City, Juventus and Manchester United are all rumored to be interested in landing the striker, and with his recent withdrawal from the club's preseason matches, they could well end up making a move in the near future (via Goal.com):

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Robin van Persie has pulled out of Arsenal's tour of Asia to try and force through a move to Manchester City.

Sources have told Goal.com that the Dutch striker has refused to travel on the club's three-match trip to Malaysia and China, which begins on Saturday afternoon when the club fly to Kuala Lumpur for the first leg of the tour.

Van Persie has raised the stakes as he goes head-to-head with Arsenal in his battle to quit the club [before the transfer window expires].

Manager Arsene Wenger is believed to have reluctantly accepted Van Persie's position and the 28-year-old will remain at London Conley next week to train with the club's academy and reserve players and the more established men who will be left behind to recover from injury such as Jack Wilkshire, Bacary Sagna and Emmanuel Frimpong.

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Whilst neither Manchester City nor United need the striker for next season, the prospect of signing the top goal scorer from the Premier League last season is no doubt an appealing idea.

Roberto Mancini's side has the ability to offer the Dutch international the wages and transfer fee required to seal a move from the Emirates, whilst Juventus are said to be the player's first-choice club and best fit overall, according to The Independent.

The Arsenal captain netted 37 goals in all competitions for the Gunners last season, as he continued to establish himself as one of the premier strikers in world football.

Should he make a move on from the club over the summer transfer window, he would no doubt make Juventus, or Manchester City, a very happy club heading into the upcoming football season.

That is, if he does end up leaving.

Will Robin van Persie leave Arsenal in the summer transfer window?

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