By Ian Grant
Arsenal have signed Dutch winger Robin van Persie from Feyenoord for an undisclosed fee and subject to a medical, the club said today.
The 20-year-old, who can play up front or on the wing, is seen as a long-term replacement for fellow Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp. Van Persie has tended to play as a left- winger but believes his best position is as a second striker.
Van Persie had been linked to Spurs, PSV Eindhoven, Werder Bremen and Sevilla.
Wenger said:”Robin is a great young talent and a fantastic signing for the club. He has shown great potential at both club and under-21 international level and will help strengthen our squad considerably. He has a great left foot and is a great passer of the ball with excellent vision. He is a versatile player and is comfortable playing as a striker or on the wing. We are all looking forward to Robin joining us for pre-season in July.” Arsenal said they expect to officially register him on May 17, when the transfer window re-opens.
Van Persie said: “I’m delighted to be joining a great club like Arsenal, this is a dream come true for me.”
The Times says he will cost an estimated £2.3 million and can play as a winger or central striker, has scored 14 goals in 50 games over the past two seasons. The Guardain says the deal is £3m and the contract is for four years.
“We’ve been talking to Arsenal since the winter,” Boonacker his agent said.
Van Persie’s has a volatile reputation – he was banished to the bench this season after a disagreement with Bert van Marwijk, the Feyenoord coach.
Van Marwijk accused the forward of going through the motions when he warmed up on the touchline during with a Champions League qualifier away to Fenerbahce in August 2002. In the dressing room, while his team-mates celebrated, he shouted and threw his boots in anger at being a substitute.
He was a member of the Feyenoord team that won the Uefa Cup in 2002 but this season has been a disappointment for him.
His refusal to extend a contract that expires next year means he is available relatively cheaply.
This is what ANR said of him watching him play for the Netherlands u-21 team against Arsenal and David Bentley in February:
The curious thing about watching Robin van Persie (for the first time) is that he plays in the same position that Arsenal see as best for Bentley.
They are different players though. Van Persie oozes footballing class, as if he is aware of a fourth dimension. He is the natural metronome of the team. Most of the attacking play goes through him.
He’s tall for the type of role he plays. And the nearest player he reminds me of is Gunter Netzer, the German international, who once destroyed England at Wembley with his perception.
Van Persie has a wicked left foot, and is a good crosser. He creates chances for himself and others by his awareness, more than with quick feet and ball control skills (although he doesn’t lack either quality).
Some reports say Arsenal are still in for him. Whether this is a hangover from the transfer window – where he got a rough time from Feyernoord fans following the leaking of Arsenal’s bid, or whether the interest is real, time will tell.
But Arsenal could accomodate a talent such as van Persie, along with Bentley. Both have such footballing skill – they could be inter-changeable and adaptable, by the same token.