Man United star Robin van Persie claims he almost moved to the Scottish Premier League before joining Arsenal…
Robin van Persie has revealed that he almost made a £3m switch to Scottish side Rangers in 2002, but the deal fell through at the last minute, reports the Daily Record.
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The Manchester United forward moved to Old Trafford for £24m from Arsenal in 2012, but how different his career could have been if he made the switch to the Scottish Premier League.
Van Persie’s compatriot Dick Advocaat was the general manager at Rangers in 2002, and had convinced the Dutch international to move to the Ibrox.
Things were set in motion, but in the end Rangers couldn’t stump up the cash and the deal never materialised.
“I was still playing for Feyenoord and I wanted to go there [Rangers]. I spoke to Dick and he was interested,” van Persie said.
“I was ready to go but they first needed to sell one player before they could buy me.”
Arsene Wenger eventually brought him to Highbury two years later, and turned him from a winger into one of the Premier League’s most potent strikers.
The ex-Gunner has been linked with a move away from Manchester United recently, with his form taking a nosedive since the departure of managerial legend Sir Alex Ferguson. Current boss Louis van Gaal doesn’t appear to have faith with the players potential longevity, and could look to cash in on him sooner rather than later.