Arsenal Transfer Rumor: Gunners May Lose Skipper Robin Van Persie to Inter Milan

The upcoming January transfer window, depending on the ongoing rumors, could be a disaster for Arsenal's plan to finish in the top four of the Premiership and secure a place in the Champions League, as Italian giant Inter Milan are being rumored to place a promising January bid for Dutch striker Robin Van Persie that could see the player leaving the Emirates Stadium.

Inter President Massimo Moratti, who is planning a revamp of the whole squad, reportedly, has Van Persie on his shopping list for January. The Italian side will also feel that they have an opportunity to bring the player to Italy as the striker has just 18 months left in his contract with the Gunners.

If Van Persie happens to leave the club, this could serve as a massive blow for the Gunners to handle following the departures of key men - Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. Inter boss Claudio Ranieri is looking to add more firepower to his forward line as Uruguay international Diego Forlan and Argentine Mauro Zarate are expected to leave the club.

Van Persie's amazing form this season has attracted attention from Europe's biggest clubs, according to a Tribalfootball report.

Van Persie's departure could arrive as a major blow to Arsenal's plans for the rest of the season, and the Dutchman is currently stalling on new contract talks. However, once the season ends, he will have just one year left on his current deal which could be a matter of concern. The North London club lost the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri last summer, and now yet another dry season, without any silverware, could also witness the departure of Van Persie.

The Dutchman, currently, is in great form, scoring 35 times in his last 49 appearances for the Gunners, including a hat-trick against rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, where Arsenal won 5-3. He was handed the club's captaincy following the departure of Spaniard Cesc Fabregas. However, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger will know that if the club fails to win a trophy or, at least, fail to finish in the top four in the Premiership, there is a real chance that the Dutchman will leave.

Van Persie signed a four-year deal with Arsenal for £2.75 million in May 2004, with the Gunners manager successfully converting the player from a left winger to a center forward. He made his debut for the Gunners as a substitute in the 3-1 FA Community Shield victory over Manchester United in August 2004, and scored his first competitive Arsenal goal in a 2-1 League Cup win over Manchester City in October.

The Dutch striker has made 167 appearances for the Gunners and has managed to find the back of the net 77 times.