Talismanic Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has emerged as a transfer target for a host of big European clubs, including the likes of nine times European Cup champions Real Madrid and cash rich English Premier League club Manchester City.

The Dutch striker, who was recently named as the captain of the football club after the summer departures of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona and Samir Nasri to Manchester City has stalled on negotiations for a new contract until the summer and this has given the other clubs hope that they might be able to lure van Persie from Arsenal who don’t want to lose their talisman for nothing when his contract with the club runs out at the end of next season.

Real Madrid are looking at the Dutch international striker to add more sharpness to their strike force which has not been firing on all cylinders whereas Manchester City consider Robin van Persie to be the ideal replacement for Carlos Tevez, who is almost certain to leave the club in January.

The Netherlands international has been in the form of his life during this season, having scored 15 goals in the English Premier League which puts him on top of the goal scorers’ list and has also been pivotal in Arsenal’s turnaround after having a disastrous start to the season. He was also rumored to be linked with a move to Chelsea but there was no confirmation of this news and it seems that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson might also test Arsenal’s resolve to hold onto the striker with a substantial bid either in the January transfer window or during the summer. Till then, Robin van Persie is very much an Arsenal player and the management hopes that he will sign a new contract that will ward off interest for his signature.