Robin van Persie has expressed his desire to leave Arsenal. Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

Transfer news: The race for Robin van Persie heats up

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that the Red Devils have made a bid for Arsenal star Robin van Persie.

The Gunners striker announced he would not be signing a new contract and reports of a bid from the 19-times top flight Champions were confirmed by Ferguson.

“Obviously Arsenal have given out the fact that we’ve made a bid for him,” Ferguson told MUTV. “We try to keep business as close as possible to us until the moment we conclude a deal. There’s no point talking about something that might not happen. There are other clubs interested in the player.”

Those clubs are Manchester City and Juventus but the Scot knows that an increased offer is the only way of bringing the Dutchman to Old Trafford.

“We’ve shown an interest and that’s where we are at the moment,” he added.