RVP: the new Wesley Sneijder
Another summer of transfer gossip; another summer of lies to sell newspapers; another summer of “Sky sources understand…”; and it seems another summer of misery for United fans.
2011 saw a three-month long courtship with Dutch ace, Wesley Sneijder. One minute the bookies had stopped taking money on his move to Manchester, the next he was quoted saying it was 90 per cent likely that he was to stay at his current club, Inter Milan. The fundamental point in what became a farcical topic, is, nobody within the club confirmed he was a target of ours – so as far as I am concerned, we never missed out on him. In fact, we were never in for him.
A combination of tabloid journalists that would sell their soul to shift a newspaper, and this current, and frankly embarrassing trend of ‘in the know’ accounts on Twitter, created enough hype between them, which had many of the Old Trafford faithful wanting, hoping, and believing the creative central player would be playing in red come 2012. This story did not have a happy ending.
This summer is different. Manchester United head honcho, Sir Alex Ferguson, has openly admitted who he is looking to bring to the club.
Naturally, it is not in the club’s nature to comment on speculation, but with Arsenal having already confirmed interest from United, Sir Alex was left with no choice but to admit Robin Van Persie is on our radar.
2011/12 Player of the Year and top goal scorer, Van Persie, has attracted interest from Europe’s top clubs, including Juventus, Real Madrid and PSG – however, reports suggest none are willing to meet his wage demands.
It seems a no-brainer that if Sir Alex has confirmed the interest, and Arsenal have indicated towards their price, the deal should be as good as done – who could turn down United?
Of course, the lure of playing for a massive salary at a club like Manchester City, PSG or Chelsea is an attractive sight for many footballers; just ask Van Persie’s ex-team mates, Ashley Cole, Samir Nasri, Gael Clichey, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebeyor, who all left the Emirates for huge contracts elsewhere.
You will not be playing in front of a packed stadium every week; you will probably be replaced within two seasons by a better player – but boy oh boy, you will earn enough money to buy your own country – who wouldn’t be tempted?
Robin Van Persie, despite having an amazing season for Arsenal, has many question marks surrounding him.
A less than impressive goal scoring record for five years prior to last, and a history of spending months on the treatment table, does not fill potential suitors with confidence.
The Arsenal captain also has his critics who say he cannot perform at the highest level, having choked for Holland at Euro 2012.
Would he be worth a £20m fee? Would he be worth £150k a week? Would he become the new Owen Hargreaves?
At the age of 29, and into the last year of his contract, this would very much be the last big move for the Holland ace – and the last chance to join a club which can offer him the opportunity of silverware; and I firmly believe he would be less of a risk than people think.
Was signing Eric Cantona a risk in 1992? He was a trouble maker that had been kicked out of the French squad for criticising the coach – not to mention being kicked out of the Marseille squad and not settling at Nimes, Sheffield Wednesday (loan) or Leeds. A journeyman with a bad attitude.
Was Teddy Sheringham a risk in 1997? He was already into his twilight years (31) and playing for mid-table Tottenham – what could he possibly bring to the United side?
Was Wayne Rooney a risk in 2004? £26m for a teenager who had no more than three years’ experience behind him? A lot of money to pay for potential alone.
Robin Van Persie, 2012, no more of a risk than any of the above. Sign him up.
Absolutely NOT. In my opinion, the 28yr old shouldnt be bought for 20m & near-Rooney wages. we already have welbeck-chicha & there are 100000 better ways to spend the money. I say a big NO to rvp joining us
I cannot work out this obsession with spending money on somebody who is 28/29 years old.
Not every investment has to be 18 years old.
At 29 he has 4 top class seasons in him.
I agree that he wouldn’t be a risk. I mean we are chasing a boy from Brazil for potentially £30 million. Lucas Moura is a massive gamble although he has great potential. We haven’t had luck signing players straight from South America, and so to be considering investing this much is a huge gamble. It’s more of a gamble than Van Persie.
Van Persie is an experience player and at the peak of his game at 29. If he arrives then everyone will support him. However I still don’t see it happening. Ferguson would be interested at the right price, but the price isn’t right. I also believe Ferguson will move more towards signing attacking midfield players, rather than strikers.
I’m stupidly getting hopeful, knowing deep down it won’t happen, that the new story about Man Utd wanting Isco Alarcon from Malaga might be true. Isco is a terrific young talent and is an attacking midfielder. I believe Ferguson is more likely to bring in players like Lucas and Isco to Old Trafford. They are both exciting and young talent that represent the future. However they represent a change in style and philosophy.
We haven’t played the greatest football since Ronaldo left. If we can sign young fearless talents like Lucas and Isco then we move towards a more technical game and also a formation which relies of 4-5 players scoring goals, rather than focusing on two strikers.
……………Dea Gea………….
Rafeal….Smalling…..Vidic….Evra
……….Carrick…..Isco………
Valencia…….Kagawa……..Lucas
……………Rooney…………..
You are talking about at least a 3 year contract,paying 10 m per year minimum (because Arsenal have offered 150k), and a fee of 23m plus to get them to sell. Then what is he worth next year after only one year aged 30?
He will want guaranteed playing time-and hes a big head. The cost will not only be in financial terms it will also be in the development of Chica and Welbeck.
Its more than a risk its insane.
Any player we sign will demand a big contract and want guarantees made about playing time.
Why not make these guarantees to last seasons player of the year and leading goalscroer?
The development of Welbeck and Chica will not stop; If they are good enough, they will play.
Insanity is splashing out millions on a young, unproven Brazilian. Kleberson, Anderson, Lucas Moura?
As an Arsenal supporter, I see no reason for United or City to spend big on RVP. Chelsea, on the other hand, could actually really use him, but haven’t been linked. Either way, I think Robin will find less success away from Arsenal than he would staying put. If he realizes this, I wonder if he’s capable of pulling a Rooney and re-signing.
All that said, if I were RVP and intent on leaving Arsenal, I’d choose MUFC.
Cheers for the comment Jack – and I do think RVP will sign on the dotted line for Arsenal….. eventually.
I think he has just become frustrated; firstly at seeing ex team-mates move on a win things – but secondly and most importantly, Holland failing to do anything in the summer, again.
Had Euro 2012 seen him end win silverware, I beleive he would want to stay for the challenge at the Emirates.
How about we stop deluding ourseleves, we won’t b signing robin van persie, lucas moura or baines, infact i’m willing to bet my house on it.
What’s your house like?
“A less than impressive goal scoring record for five years prior to last”
You haven’t even bothered to check his stats on wikipedia, and yet you wrote an article on him.
10, 11, 13, 9, 20, 10, 22….. In all compeititons. Yes, less than impressive.
sorry man united fans, van persie isn’t your player and he’s not gonna be, wake up from your slumber… Kagawa is a great buy, he alone can win the eufa champions league for you. Lolz
I am really enjoying this slumber. 🙂
An average of 15 goals and 9 assists in the 4 seasons prior to 2011/12 shouldn’t be scoffed at though. Sure, with a year remaining on the contract, United shouldn’t pay the reported 25m Arsenal are seeking, but United would be getting a proven goal scorer who can operate alone upfront if need be. His spells on the treatment table are well-documented, but as he has shown last season, he is more capable of staying injury-free now. I would welcome him with open arms.
Exactly. What more can a player do than keep himself fit for a full season?
You are spot in the way he operates. With him in the squad, options going forward would be limitless as there wouldnt be this constant relying on Rooney.
He’s had one injury free season and you don’t think he’s a risk? I hope you buy him and he breaks his leg, the wanker
What more can a player do to prove his fitness, than remain fit all season?
Ha ha, well if he does join United, I will pass on your regards. If he doesnt come to us, and stays with Arsenal, will you forgive this outburst?
It took us time to forgive Rooney. (Many still haven’t)
Did you really believe Fergie was seriously expecting to sign up van Persie, under the noses of the City moneybags? I think he was only on a PR stunt to keep the reds’ fans feeling the club is trying. When did Arsenal officially “confirm interest from United”? As if such trait is in Arsenal’s nature.