Real Madrid Transfer Rumor: Galacticos Finalizing Deal for Arsenal’s Robin van Persie?

According to reports from the Spanish sporting media, La Liga giants Real Madrid are on the verge of sealing a deal for English Premier League club Arsenal's Dutch forward Robin van Persie, who was earlier linked with the Spanish side.

The reports, from newspaper Publico.es, suggest Real's Director-General, Jose Angel Sanchez, has already held talks with van Persie, to bring him to the Santiago Bernabeu, in time for the next season.

Madrid, who were reportedly chasing Italian club Roma's contract rebel Daniele de Rossi, have now set their sights on the Dutchman, who is currently in sensational form. Real's manager, Jose Mourinho, has been asked by the club to try and bring the Arsenal skipper to Spain.

The Premiership's leading scorer this season will be out of contract with the Gunners in the summer of 2013. Unfortunately for the English club, van Persie - who has scored 21 goals in 26 games, across all competitions, this season, has refused to sign a new contract with the North London club, leading to speculation manager Arsene Wenger could look to cash in on him rather than let him go for free.

However, any move away from the Emirates will likely by resisted by Wenger, who has already seen key players Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri leave, for Spanish club Barcelona and Premiership rivals Manchester City, respectively.

Finally, La Liga leaders Madrid will know they may have to move fast, given that clubs like Manchester City and Barcelona are also interested in signing the player, according to a Madrid-barcelona.com report.