Arsenal Transfer Rumor: Chelsea Set to Lure Gunners Frontman Robin van Persie With £25M Bid

If rumors are to be believed, English club Chelsea are the latest to join the race to sign league rival Arsenal's Dutch striker and club captain Robin van Persie. Apparently, both Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid and Italian giants Inter Milan are also in the reckoning for van Persie.

The Dutchman, whose contract with Arsenal ends in the summer of 2013, is yet to sign an extension. Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas is believed to consider van Persie as the perfect attacking option to bolster his forward line at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues' much-maligned Spanish striker, Fernando Torres (who transferred from Liverpool for £50m move) has failed to make any real impact, while the current offensive line at Chelsea - Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou - have all been linked with moves away.

Potential bids for van Persie, from any club, will come as a threat for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who will be unwilling to lose another key player, following the departure of first team regulars like Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy.

The Gunners, at the moment, rely heavily on van Persie's goal scoring abilities. Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh, who was drafted in with the intention of providing support for the Dutch international, has experienced a big drop in form and is believed to be on his way out from the Emirates Stadium.

Robin van Persie is on a great run of form at the moment, having scored 29 goals from his last 29 Premiership starts.