Robin van Persie’s future at Arsenal is hanging in the balance after the Netherlands striker announced on Wednesday he will not be extending his contract with the Premier League club.
Van Persie said he held talks about his future with Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis and manager Arsene Wenger before the European Championship “but ... it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal should move forward.”
“I’ve thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract,” Van Persie, the club’s captain and top-scorer last season, wrote on his official website.
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The Dutchman, who has one year left on his current contract, said more meetings were planned with Arsenal once Gazidis returned from holiday in the United States.
A number of leading European clubs have been linked with a move for Van Persie, including new English champion Manchester City and Italian champion Juventus.
“I personally have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days,” Van Persie said.
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Perhaps with the departure of Van Persie in mind, Wenger has signed two strikers Olivier Giroud from Montpellier and Lukas Podolski from Cologne in the off-season.