Arsenal Transfer Rumor: Gunners to Receive Fresh Bid for Robin van Persie?

North London-based club Arsenal are reportedly set to receive a revamped bid for the club’s Dutch striker and skipper Robin van Persie from Spanish league giants Barcelona. The Gunners player is still to sign a new contract extension with the club.

Nou Camp boss Pep Guardiola, as per reports, is preparing a move for the creative Dutchman and is believed to be ready to make an offer for the Gunners captain when the transfer window re-opens, although he may prefer a summer deal more.

Another reason to bring in the player is because of the recent foot injury to David Villa. However, prior to his injury, Villa has struggled with form this season and had netted just five goals in 15 La Liga appearances this season. The former Valencia man is now facing a struggle to be fit for the Euro 2012 finals in the summer.

Arsenal, on the other hand, will know that if the club does not secure significant silverware by the summer, or, at the very least, retain a spot in the top four of the Premiership, then there is a very real chance that van Persie, 28, will leave the club.

The striker previously stated that the North London club needs to bring in new players if they stand any chance to challenge the other big clubs for the domestic title. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger may need to bring in new players or at least a striker to remind the Dutchman about the club’s ambitions.

Wenger previously watched as Samir Nasri ran down his contract at his Emirates to its last year and then felt he had no choice other than to accept Man City’s bid for the French international, and Barcelona may also look to do the same thing while luring away van Persie to the Nou Camp.

Van Persie has shown amazing form thus far this season and has been scoring with alarming regularity but the boss is still worried as the player is yet to enter talks to sign a new deal and now has less than 18 months to run on his current contract which had led to fears that he may be considering his options.

Apart from Barcelona, the striker has seen interest from the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid in the past, according to a Caughtoffside report.