Arsenal Transfer Rumor: The Great Robin van Persie Saga Continues with Manchester City, Anzhi

After big names like Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid are said to have beefed up interest in Gunners front-man and skipper Dutchman Robin van Persie in recent weeks, new reports have suggested that, apparently, Premiership side Manchester City and Russian Premier League side Anzhi Makhachkala also have the striker on their radar.

The Dutchman, whose contract with Arsenal ends in the summer of 2013, is yet to sign an extension. Boss Arsene Wenger, however, is said to be waiting patiently for van Persie to resume talks about a new contract extension that will keep the striker in Emirates Stadium.

Impending bids for van Persie, from any club, will come as a signal of danger for Wenger, who will be unwilling to lose another key player, following the exit of first team regulars like Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy.

According to a Guardian report, Wenger has clearly said that the club has no problem and they are eager to open negotiations with the player and bind him to a longer contract. Now the decision only depends on van Persie himself if he wants to carry on as a Gunner or look for a future elsewhere in Europe. He, however, will know that some of the biggest names in European football are waiting for him.

The Gunners, currently, are relying heavily on van Persie's goal scoring skills. Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh, who was brought in with the intention of providing support for the Dutch international, has experienced a big drop in form and is believed to be exit-bound.

Both Manchester City and Anzhi will know that they will have an opportunity to lure away the player from the Emirates stadium by offering a massive salary, according to a tribalfootball report.

Van Persie is on a great run of form at the moment, and has scored 29 goals from his last 29 Premiership starts.