Real Madrid to rival Barca and test Arsenal resolve with bid for hotshot Van Persie

By Ashley Gray for MailOnline
Updated: 05:59 EDT, 9 February 2012

Real Madrid are ready to join Barcelona in the fight to sign Robin van Persie from Arsenal.

Suitors are circling the Holland striker, who will enter the final year of his contract this summer unless the Gunners can convince him to sign a new deal.

Sportsmail revealed last week that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is plotting an ambitious move for Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.

Van the Man: The Arsenal striker is being tracked by Spanish giants Real Madrid

 

But Madrid sports paper Marca suggests boss Jose Mourinho would rather go for Van Persie, who has the versatility to play as an imposing No 9 such as Didier Drogba, or take a place on either flank.

Mourinho's own future at the Bernabeu is in serious doubt, but he has told his bosses that 28-year-old Van Persie would be a perfect fit.

Any deal is also contingent on Gonzalo Higuain being offloaded - with Chelsea identified as a potential destination - as the Argentina centre forward has fallen behind Karim Benzema in the pecking order.

There would be no shortage of willing buyers if Van Persie does not decided to extend his stay in north London, with Manchester City likely to make a move.

Gone-zalo: Higuain must leave before a move for Van Persie can materialise

And Barcelona are also interested, with reports emerging late last month that they were preparing to make him their No 1 summer transfer target.

Barca vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu has done little to calm those reports, saying only that there would be no immediate move for the former Feyenoord player.

'There is nothing going on at the moment,' he said. 'There are some rumours, but this is not the right time to talk about Van Persie.

'We have to focus on our performances on the pitch.'