Arsenal Want £25m For RVP

Sir Alex Ferguson has been warned it will take an “unbelievable” offer to persuade Arsenal to sell Robin van Persie to him.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger will not sell for less than £20m – and will demand a premium fee of more than £25m from Fergie and Manchester United because Arsenal do not want to do business with a direct Premier League rival.

However, Ferguson says United’s attempts to sign van Persie from Arsenal have stalled.

“We’ve made a bid, they [Arsenal] have been trying to negotiate with other clubs,” said United manager Ferguson.

“I don’t have a gut feeling about it. We can’t get a breakthrough with Arsenal.

“I don’t know what Arsenal’s thoughts are because they’re not giving anything away,” he told reporters after United’s friendly against Barcelona in Gothenburg on Wednesday, which finished in a 0-0 draw before Barca won 2-0 on penalties.

“It’s difficult to say why they’re operating this way. I can’t give you any more information. We just have to persevere.

“We are trying our best and hopefully it will come our way but there’s no progress at this moment in time.”

Van Persie scored 41 goals in 53 games for club and country last season and was named Professional Footballers’ Association and Football Writers’ player of the year.

Juventus are also interested in Van Persie, while Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini revealed the EPL champions were now out of the running for the striker.