Manchester City Transfer Rumours: Robin Van Persie Can't Let Fans Decide Fate

Robin van Persie faces the toughest decision of his career this summer. Does he stay with Arsenal or seek a squad with a better chance of winning the Premier League title? While he weighs his options, he must be sure not to let the fans have an impact on his decision.

Manchester City has emerged as one of the favorites to land Van Persie after contract negotiations with Arsenal didn't lead to any progress, according to Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail. The defending champions would present the star striker with plenty of offensive support.

The Citizens scored a league-leading 93 goals during their title-winning season thanks to the trio of Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli. Adding Van Persie would give them another dynamic threat as they look to repeat next season.

Concerns have been raised about how Arsenal fans would view their star player if he abandoned ship for the Etihad Stadium, though. John Cross of the Daily Mirror says Gunners supporters would feel betrayed if Van Persie ended up with City, which would put his status as a team legend in jeopardy.

For a player like Van Persie, who's had so much success with Arsenal in recent years, it's easy to see how something like that could have an affect on his decision-making process. After all, without the Gunners giving him a chance, who knows where he'd be right now.

That said, Van Persie can't allow the fans to force him into something he really doesn't want. If a league title is the main thing he wants to accomplish, he has to pursue that dream. If he doesn't think Arsenal can make it happen, going elsewhere is the right move.

Arsenal can't match Manchester City's talent level, making it tough to imagine the Gunners hanging with them for an entire season as the rosters stand right now. That gap would only widen if Van Persie switches sides.

The last thing he should want is to sign a new deal with the Gunners only to regret it. If a player's heart isn't in the game, it doesn't take long for the results to show it.

Sports are just as much mental as they are physical. Van Persie has proven he has the physical skills, leading the league in goals with 30, but without a strong mental approach to back them up he won't be as successful.

It all comes down to what Van Persie wants most. When push comes to shove he has to do what's best for him, no matter how his fans at the Emirates will react.