ag6789 wrote:If I remember correctly, RVP was offered about 130k/wk w/5mil in bonus if trophies were won during his contract term. But Untd came with 230k/wk w/other perks ( I don't know all), and he had agreed behind the scenes. Eventually Wenger let him go when it became clear he wasn't going to change his mind and also to preserve the dressing room sanity.
We did bring in Giroud, Podolski and Cazorla that year, so if the squad quality was in question, then RVP was not entirely truthful in his admission.
He rejected the contract. You're right. He said it himself but lately with him and Cesc, they're just trying to chummy up with Gooners.
The offer was £130k a week.
Three clubs were in for him: Juve, City, and United. Juve lowballed us with a £13m offer. Plus, van Persie didn't want to go to Juve. Man City were willing to offer him £250k a week. It was down to him. SAF called Wenger and offered a bigger transfer fee. They also agreed to match City's wages. Ultimately, the decision lay on van Persie. He listened to the, "little boy inside him," who screamed ManU. His words, not mine.
As you can read in the letter, van Persie explicitly stated that he turned down our contract offer.
The sad bit is—with Cesc and van Persie—they're rewriting history these days. Cesc is diplomatic to the core and sings praises of Chelsea and Arsenal, both. van Persie is more open in his love for ManU, but he speaks as if he was unwanted at Arsenal, and ManU made him feel at him.
It's a case of both of them unable to digest that they're not legends at either clubs. Cesc is well below the likes of Drogba, Terry, Cech, Lampard, Cole, Hazard, etc. van Persie has to contend with Scholes, Giggs, Rio, Vidic, Rooney, etc. They did win titles there but they're not held in the same regard.
That's why both of them are trying to shape a narrative to be in the good books of both clubs. Chelsea and Arsenal for Cesc; ManU and Arsenal for van Persie.
I'd really respect them more if they were honest. They did what they had to. In hindsight, they wanted to win titles. They felt they couldn't at Arsenal. They opted to leave. They won.
That's all there is to it. These media games and PR stunts are unnecessary.