Early reports from The Sun and Caught Offside have indicated that Manchester United have finalized talks on a 22-22.5 million pound contract to land RVP. He comes off a league-best 30 goal season (38 in all competitions), and has obviously been the biggest the subject of world-wide transfer news for months. However, with the good comes the bad. Is he worth it?
PROS
1. He Scores Goals - Without a doubt, he has proven that he is successful in ripping apart the premier league. In his last 95 matches (domestic and international), he has scored a blistering 69 goals, nearly a 3:4 ratio.
2. Experience - He's been playing in the Premiership at Arsenal since 2004, and has a firm grasp of what nearly every opponent brings to the table. He knows how to play in an environment where domestic titles and Champions League success is expected.
3. Wayne Rooney - Rooney is one of the best strikers in the world, and is still only 26 years old. His presence allows RVP to not have to deal with the enormous pressure of the whole team on his shoulders. He has also matured wonderfully, only receiving one yellow card the entire EPL season last year.
4. Versatility - RVP has proven that he can lead a team up top all by himself, or share the forward role. Fergie won't have to worry about him stuck in one spot as he can play either side with Rooney, or even drop back to attacking midfielder if need be, as he is ridiculously good at making key passes. HE EVEN LED THE PREMIER LEAGUE IN ASSISTS IN 2008/09. (11)
5. Big Game Player - In games against United, Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham last season (10), he scored eight goals and added two assists. The only team he didn't score against were the champions Manchester City.
CONS
1. Injury Prone - RVP is truly made out of glass. The Dutch even call him "Glass Ankles." However, he's been fit since his last groin strain in February.
04/05: Three ankle injuries
05/06: Knee injury, two ankle injuries
06/07: Hip injury, metatarsal fracture, knee injury, thigh strain
07/08: Three thigh muscles strains
08/09: Ankle injury, hamstring injury, two groin strains
09/10: Knee injury, severe ankle sprain (missed over five months)
10/11: Offseason ankle injury, preseason ankle injury, flu, pulled hamstring, knee injury
11/12: August ankle injury, groin strain
2. Reduces Player Development - Signing RVP limits the opportunities of Bebe, Welbeck, and Chicharito to get time. In addition, experimentation with Kagawa and Ashley Young up top would just about cease to exist.
3. Age - He is 29 years old now, so he may have already peaked, or he may have only a few years left of solid football. The older he gets, the more likely he is to fall off, and more likely to suffer serious injury.
4. Expensive Wages - With a big move, comes a big price. In addition to the 22.5 million pound ($34.5 million) transfer fee, Manchester United will certainly have to more than double what he currently makes at Arsenal, which is 90,000 pounds (over $141,000) a week. Early reports suggest he will make 220,000 pounds (over $345,000) a week.
5. No Resale Value - Robin Van Persie must deliver silverware for his investment to be worth it. No matter what happens, he'll never be worth this much again, as the combination of age and injury history won't allow a high transfer fee.
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