Arsene Wenger has told Arsenal fans that he was left with no choice but to sell Robin Van Persie to Manchester United.
The Gunners confirmed that they had agreed a deal with Manchester United, thought to be £24 million, yesterday evening, later announcing the decision through their personal website. The Dutch striker is expected to travel to Manchester this week to complete a medical and finalise personal terms.
Despite the proposed departure of Van Persie throughout the summer, the news of the move has still come as a surprise to Arsenal fans, particularly given that their talismanic striker has been sold to a rival of the club, whom they would be hoping to be challenging with in the Premier League.
But Wenger has revealed once Van Persie had made his decision to not renew his contract at the club, Arsenal were left with no choice but to sell their captain.
“He is at Manchester United, unfortunately for us. The transfer was finalised in the afternoon,” said Wenger whilst working for French TV station TF1 on Wednesday, Sky Sports report.
“It’s never great to lose players of that quality but he only had a year contract so we do not have a choice.”
Wenger went on to confirm assumptions made by many Arsenal fans and pundits alike concerning the signings of Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski.
“We have already recruited since we Giroud and Podolski who originally were intended to offset the departure of van Persie,” he concluded.
