Arsenal captain Robin Van Persie has confirmed that he will not be signing a new contract at the club.
Van Persie's future has long been the subject of speculation, with the likes of Manchester City and Juventus rumoured to have made enquiries for the striker who has one year left to run on his current deal at the Emirates Stadium.
The 29-year-old has now informed fans through his official website that he will not be extending his stay in north London, stating that his meeting with manager Arsene Wenger earlier this year had left him questioning how the club was moving forward.
"I personally have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days," his statement read.
"Out of my huge respect for Mr Wenger, the players and the fans I don't want to go into any details, but unfortunately in the meeting it has again become clear to me that we, in many aspects, disagree on the way Arsenal FC should move forward.
"I've thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract."
The news will come as a bitter blow to Wenger, who stated on Tuesday that it was imperative to keep the PFA Player of the Year with Arsenal "at all costs".
A string of clubs across Europe are likely to be interested in signing Van Persie, who netted 37 goals in all competitions last season.
Van Persie: I will not extend my contract at Arsenal
GOAL.com – Thu, Jul 5, 2012 1:20 AM SGT
View PhotoManchester rivals joined by PSG in race for wantaway Van Persie
Editors' Picks
Ex-Man City star Reyna named new NYCFC exec
Former Rangers and Manchester City midfielder Claudio Reyna, who won 112 caps for the USA, was named the director of football for Major League Soccer's new New York City Football Club on Wednesday.
Man City target Pellegrini confirms Malaga exit
Manuel Pellegrini, strongly linked to the vacant Manchester City post, is leaving Malaga at the end of the season, the Chilean announced on Wednesday.
BREAKING NEWS: Malaga confirm Pellegrini departure
Malaga have confirmed that Manuel Pellegrini will leave his position as head coach at the end of the season, opening the door to a move to Manchester City.The Chilean has been linked with a switch to the Etihad Stadium since earlier in 2013 and Roberto Mancini's sacking earlier in May added fuel to the fire that Pellegrini would be leaving La Rosaleda for the Blues in the summer. ...
Malaga confirm Pellegrini departure
The Andalusian club having announced that the Chilean will leave la Rosaleda at the end of the season, suggesting that his jump into the Manchester City hotseat is imminent
Former England striker Cole to leave West Ham
LONDON (Reuters) - Former England striker Carlton Cole is leaving West Ham United after seven seasons at the club. Cole, 29, played 237 times and scored 57 goals for the Hammers but netted only two goals in 29 appearances in the 2012-13 season. He was overshadowed by on-loan striker Andy Carroll who West Ham are hoping to sign from Liverpool on a permanent basis for a club record fee of around 15 million pounds. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce told the club's website (www.whufc.co.uk):
Mourinho, Ronaldo get two-match bans for Cup final reds
MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo were handed two-match bans in the King's Cup after they were sent off in last week's final at the Bernabeu, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) said on Wednesday. Mourinho was dismissed for vigorously disputing a refereeing decision in the 75th minute of Friday's 2-1 final defeat by Atletico Madrid. The Portuguese will not serve his punishment in next season's Spanish cup competition as he agreed to leave the club by mutual
Latest videos
Confederation Cup cities announced
SNTV Videos - Fri, Nov 9, 2012 6:53 PM SGTConfederation Cup cities announced [AMBIENT]
SNTV Videos - Fri, Nov 9, 2012 6:51 PM SGTUlsan win from behind at Bunyodkor [AMBIENT]
SNTV Videos - Thu, Oct 25, 2012 1:50 AM SGTUlsan win from behind at Bunyodkor
SNTV Videos - Thu, Oct 25, 2012 1:47 AM SGTKuwait SC beat Al Ettifaq to reach AFC Cup final [AMBIENT]
SNTV Videos - Wed, Oct 24, 2012 6:39 AM SGTKuwait SC beat Al Ettifaq to reach AFC Cup final
SNTV Videos - Wed, Oct 24, 2012 6:36 AM SGTArbil beat Chonburi to reach AFC Cup final [AMBIENT]
SNTV Videos - Wed, Oct 24, 2012 1:33 AM SGTArbil beat Chonburi to reach AFC Cup final
SNTV Videos - Wed, Oct 24, 2012 1:30 AM SGT
LATEST SPORTS NEWS
More From
Most Popular Stories
Brooklyn Beckham joins QPR academy
Fit To Post SportsBy World of Sport (Original post by Europort can be found here.) Queens Park Rangers have been criticised for splashing the cash on expensive signings - but their latest capture has not cost a penny and comes with pretty good … Continue reading →
Sergio Garcia takes spat with Tiger Woods to an ugly place with racist comment
Devil Ball GolfThere is always a line when athletes get in feuds that you just don't cross, but that changed on Tuesday night with the latest battle in the golf world. Attending an awards dinner for the European Tour, Sergio Garcia was … Continue reading →
Man City and New York Yankees partner to form new MLS club in NYC
Dirty TackleAfter years of very publicly planning and searching for a suitable ownership group to front a second MLS team in New York, the league has found it in a partnership between Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour of Abu Dhabi and … Continue reading →
Injured Murray withdraws from French Open
AFP NewsAndy Murray will miss the French Open with the back injury that flared up at the Rome Masters, the world number two announced on Tuesday.
Kevin Durant’s giant back tattoo is finished, may include misspelling
Ball Don't LieKevin Durant's collection of "business tattoos" took a number of folks by surprise two summers ago. Some were struck by the torso-covering tats, which they viewed as a departure from the clean-cut, broad-appeal persona he'd cultivated; this seemed like a … Continue reading →