Arsenal Reject Offer from Manchester United for Robin Van Persie

Manchester United have made a bid of around £15 million for Arsenal captain, Robin van Persie, but the Gunners have rejected the offer, according to the BBC, 

Van Persie has announced his intention to leave Arsenal, having previously stated he would not be signing a new contract to stay in north London, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.

Sir Alex Ferguson is believed to have been a long-time admirer of the Dutch striker, and United are now firmly in the mix to sign Van Persie, having made a formal offer for last year's Premier League Golden Boot winner.

However, the bid of £15 million has been rebuffed by the Gunners' board, who are holding out for a much higher fee.

Manchester City and Juventus are also interested in signing the forward, but United appear to have opened the bidding with the hope of pairing Van Persie with Wayne Rooney to give them a formidable attacking line.

It will take an improved bid to bring Van Persie to Old Trafford though, and Arsenal will likely be hoping for at least £25 million, having sold Samir Nasri to Manchester City for a similar fee last year.

Nasri, like Van Persie, was in the final year of his Arsenal contract, and did not wish to extend his stay at the Emirates Stadium, which resulted in his departure.

The Arsenal board will now expect a similar fee for Van Persie, who is coming off the best season of his career.

There appears to be plenty more twists and turns in this transfer saga, but the bidding has begun, and Arsenal's captain is heading quickly towards the exit.

The only question now revolves around his destination: Manchester or Turin.