Manchester United Transfer News: Deadline Set for Robin Van Persie Transfer

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has set a deadline for the transfer of Robin van Persie, stating that should any deal to Manchester United take place, it would need to be done before the start of the English Premier League season.

Although the summer transfer window is open until August 31, the Gunners boss has confirmed that Arsenal will be willing to sell their star striker prior to the commencement of the season—assuming they receive the right offer for him.

The 62-year-old manager stated that their main desire was to keep Van Persie at the club next season but conceded that if the right offer came, they would consider cashing in the Dutch international. Via Goal.com:

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"Van Persie is a world-class striker and I am a big supporter of him. I have supported him throughout. 

"He has one year left and is in demand but our desire is to keep him, however, we will do what is in the best interests of the club. If you have a decoder in your head, decode that.

"The official transfer deadline is August 31 but then we can create an internal deadline—I believe the transfer market should stop before the season starts anyway..."

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Manchester United have been strongly linked to RvP over the summer transfer window, with the club reportedly in a three-horse race to land the Dutch international. United, Manchester City and Juventus are all trying to sign the striker, with United believed to be the favorites (though perhaps not according to latest reports).

According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal want at least £30 million for the striker—a figure that seemingly is out of reach of Italian champions Juventus given their financial problems, and potentially the Red Devils as well.

That would seemingly open the door for the EPL champions, who clearly have the biggest bank balance out of the three teams involved.

City boss Roberto Mancini is reportedly fuming that his side has not done more than offer a modest amount for Van Persie, and wants a clear statement of intent that the Gunners captain is their top priority over the transfer window.

The Citizens will most likely try to sell Edin Dzeko or Carlos Tevez before launching a substantial bid for RvP, and with the Tevez-to-AC Milan rumor continuing to linger on, it might not be long before we see an offer put forward.

Having said that, until a striker is offloaded from the Etihad, Manchester United are still arguably the favorites to land Van Persie. Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that the Red Devils are completely interested in trying to sign the Dutch star, ditching usual protocol in the process, and could well land the Golden Boot Award winner for the upcoming season.

They'll need to move fast, though.

Will Robin van Persie end up at Manchester United?

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