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Van Persie still pines for Arsenal move
By Steve Stammers, Evening Standard
15 April 2004
In the space of one week in January, the world of Robin van Persie was complete, then fell apart.
The Dutch striker's dream was to play for Arsenal and he thought that was about to be realised when they followed up their interest in him with a concrete offer to his club, Feyenoord.
"Arsenal came to my home in Rotterdam," said the 20-year-old. "But we both wanted everything to be done right and they went to Feyenoord.
"What happened then was a little bit strange. Suddenly the money that was offered for me wasn't enough. I know they wanted me to stay but I had already said I wanted to go to Arsenal.
"They are one of the biggest clubs in the world and every young player wants to go there.
"I was flattered by their attention. Then it was all called off."
Arsenal were furious on two counts. First, Feyenoord published details of Arsenal's interest before negotiations were complete.
The Premiership leaders, who take on Leeds tomorrow night at Highbury, prefer to carry out transfer business with discretion.
Then, after agreeing terms for what they thought was a £2.5million deal, Feyenoord's decision to hike up the price forced the Gunners to look elsewhere.
They did so, signing Jose Reyes from Seville as their one major transaction of the transfer window. The dream for van Persie, therefore, became a nightmare.
"I knew of Dennis Bergkamp and who hasn't heard of Thierry Henry?" said van Persie.
"To be with them would have been fantastic for me and I thought it was going to happen.
"But the story has now ended. I am not going. But also, I am not staying at Feyenoord. They want me to sign a new contract but I won't do that.
"At the end of the season I will have one year left on my contract, so it will be the last chance Feyenoord will have to get any money for me. They want, I think, about £3.75m.
"Will Arsenal come back in for me? It depends on them. If they give Feyenoord the money they want, it could happen. But I won't stay.
"They have offered me more money but for me money is not important. I just want to play at a club where I will be happy. I want to go to a club which loves football as much as I do."
The collapse of the proposed move to Arsenal has alerted clubs all over Europe to van Persie's potential - and among them are Arsenal's bitter rivals from the other end of the Seven Sisters Road.
"I know Tottenham have come to watch me and if they made an offer, then I would consider it with any others that I have during the summer," said van Persie.
"I will look at them all at the end of the season - I have heard PSV Eindhoven are interested a nd maybe AC Milan. I will just look at them all and go where I think will be best."
There were scouts from several clubs at last month's 1-1 draw between Holland and France Under-21s. Van Persie - the Dutch captain - contributed to his side's goal, while Arsenal's Jeremie Aliadiere equalised.
Van Persie showed enough quality touches to impress any interested parties and he has already shown immense character.
Feyenoord fans are among the most fanatical in Holland and they do not take kindly to players who show ambition to play elsewhere - and van Persie's case wasn't helped by the club's party line that they had done everything to keep him.
"It was a lot for me to handle and it was hard for me sometimes," he said. "I want to play for the people, money is only second or third. When people were yelling at me, it hurt." It cut particularly deep because van Persie is Rotterdam born and bred.
The exciting striker was part of the Feyenoord team that won the UEFA Cup in 2002. The next night he was out playing in the streets with the youngsters with whom he had grown up and had never lost touch.
He said: "The hardest game for me was the one at Nijmegen the day after I heard the transfer to Arsenal would not happen.
"I said to myself that I had to play well to show to myself that I am strong mentally. I did well."
So well that he has retained his place in the full Dutch squad. He has four caps and is among the 26 players from whom the 23-strong squad for this summer's Euro 2004 finals in Portugal will be selected.
Deep down, van Persie hopes Arsenal revive their interest. But he is also open to offers and will move where he senses he will be happy.
"My father, Bob, advises me. But the decision will be mine," he said.
Van Persie's obsession with football extends to a room in his house dedicated to the game, with a welter of pictures of his idol, Diego Maradona, and many of Henry as well as football shirts and trophies. "I want to love the game and I don't at Feyenoord. At this moment I'm looking for love."
Arsenal's failure to capitalise on van Persie's infatuation with them could come back to haunt them, especially if Tottenham emerge as his paramour.
