Arsenal Transfer Rumour: Gunners Likely to Face £25.8m-Bid from Real Madrid for Targetman Robin Van Persie

The January transfer window is fast approaching and so are the rumors involving the movement of the biggest names in the game. If the rumors are to be believed, Arsenal could be forced to make way for skipper and Dutchman Robin Van Persie who has attracted interest from Spanish giant Real Madrid. This could serve as a massive blow for the Gunners to handle following the departures of key men - Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

It has currently been reported that Real boss Jose Mourinho, who is keen to bolster the club's attacking line further, will be making a £25.8 million offer for the Dutchman next summer. Real, at the moment, only has two recognized strikers in its squad - Frenchman Karim Benzema and Argentinean Gonzalo Higuain. Mourinho, who has been a long time admirer of the Arsenal striker, will try and persuade the player and land him at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Van Persie's departure could hit the Gunners hard, and the Dutchman is currently stalling on new contract talks. At the end of the season, however, he will have just one year left on his current deal which could be a danger sign for the Gunners. Previously, in the summer, the North London club lost the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri, and now it seems that yet another dry season, without any silverware, could also mark the departure of Van Persie.

The Dutchman, who is currently 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, was handed the club's captaincy following the departure of Spaniard Cesc Fabregas. However, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger will know that if the team fail 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's latest form has attracted many of the biggest clubs in Europe, according to a Caughtoffside report.

Rotterdam-born Van Persie joined Dutch side SBV Excelsior's youth squad when he was just four years old. He, however, left the club at the age of five and signed for Feyenoord. He spent no time in making his place in the first team and debuted for the club at the age of 17. He also received the KNVB Best Young Talent award at the end of the 2001-02 season and signed a professional three-and-a-half year contract with Feyenoord in the following season. He scored five goals in a 6-1 Amstel Cup mauling of AGOVV in February 2003.

In May 2004, Van Persie signed a four-year deal with Arsenal for £2.75 million with the Gunners manager wanting and 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. He scored his first competitive Arsenal goal in a 2-1 League Cup win over Manchester City in October.

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