Real Madrid CF want to sign Arsenal FC captain Robin van Persie - report

Real Madrid are reportedly ready to battle Manchester City to sign Robin van Persie if the Arsenal captain fails to sign a new contract at the club.

Robin van Persie

Van Persie has less than two years left on his existing contract at Arsenal and is unwilling to discuss a new deal until the end of the season.

The 28-year-old has been linked with a number of clubs across Europe in recent weeks, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Inter Milan also thought to be monitoring developments at Emirates Stadium.

But according to the Sunday Mirror, Real Madrid are ready to swoop for the Netherlands international if he fails to agree a new deal by the end of the season.

By then, Van Persie will have around 12 months on his existing deal at the ­Emirates before becoming a free agent, and that could force the Gunners to sell.

So far, Van Persie has indicated that he will not look to open talks until next May at the earliest.

According to Sunday's report, sources close to the Dutchman insist he is open-minded and ­hopes he can win silverware in north London.

But key to Van Persie's decision to stay will be how busy manager Arsene Wenger is in the transfer market next year.

Borussia Dortmund playmaker Mario Goetze is Wenger's top target, while the likes of Cologne striker Lukas Podolski, Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila and Lille forward Eden Hazard have also been linked with the Gunners. But Wenger will face a fight with clubs across Europe for any of his targets, with Hazard and M'Vila also believed to be on Jose Mourinho's radar.

Manchester City are said to be ready to offer Van Persie £250,000-a-week to be reunited with former team-mates Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy at the Etihad Stadium, but Madrid believe the player is unlikely to play for another English club if he ­finally decides to leave Arsenal.

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