Arsenal Transfer News: Olivier Giroud Isn't Enough to Replace Robin Van Persie

Money isn’t everything.

Arsenal is in danger of losing Robin van Persie to Manchester City not because the Gunners can’t compete in a bidding war, but because the Blues are a better football club. If Van Persie were to spurn Arsene Wenger’s squad, they’d be forced to sign more than Olivier Giroud to stay near the top of the English Premier League.

Mark Ogden of The Telegraph reported that Man City is ready to offer Van Persie a contract, and after claiming the EPL crown, they’re confident that they’ll be able to convince the striker to sign. According to the report, though, the Blues are hesitant to pay him more than £20 million because he’ll turn 29 years old in August.

Steve Stammers of Mirror previously reported that Arsenal had put a price tag on Van Persie after having come to the realization that they didn’t have enough money to pay him if Man City were to pursue. But that price tag was for £30 million.

Not dollars and cents, but loyalty will determine whether or not Van Persie transfers to Manchester. If he does turn his back on the team that he spent eight seasons with, the Gunners will be in trouble. The 36 goals that he scored this past year won’t be easily replaced—Giroud alone isn’t enough.

Anthony Kastrinkas of The Sun reported that Giroud would fly to London this week to sign a deal for £12 million. While he scored an impressive 21 goals for Montpellier in French Ligue 1 action, he isn’t on Van Persie’s level.

Arsenal has been linked to defenders Yann M’Vila and Jan Vertonghen and according to Mitchell Agg of the International Business Times, they’re still on Wegner’s wish list. While adding M’Vila and Vertonghen wouldn’t do much to make up for the loss of Van Persie’s scoring ability, they’re still phenomenal young talents and would improve the Gunners greatly.

Plenty of time remains in the transfer window, so anything can happen.

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

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