Gunners chase Dutch star van Persie

Feyenoord have revealed today that they have rejected an Arsenal bid for their young striker Robin van Persie.

The Dutch giants are anticipating a follow-up offer from the Premiership leaders.

Feyenoord spokesman Fred Blankemeijer said: “We have rejected a first bid and we are waiting for Arsenal to come back to us.

“We are waiting for written confirmation of a second bid from them.”

The 20-year-old has scored five goals this season for the Rotterdam giants.

Feyenoord’s official club newspaper, Feyenoord Krant, revealed that Van Persie is keen to get away before the transfer window closes on January 31.

The move should it come off - would see the Gunners secure the signature of one of Holland's best young players.

Van Persie is thought to be rated by Feyenoord in the £5m (€7.2m) bracket.

They have emerged as a selling club over the past year during which they have offloaded the likes of Pierre van Hooijdonk, Paul Bosvelt and Brett Emerton.

An Arsenal bid may be too hard to resist for the Rotterdammers, given that van Persie has his “heart set on a transfer”, according to his club.

Feyenoord have struggled to keep up with the pace set by joint Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven and Ajax since their summer upheaval, but the form of van Persie has offered hope for the future.

Currently fourth in the Eredivisie, the club recently announced that Ruud Gullit will replace coach Bert van Marwijk in July, and it could be that Gullit will be consulted over this transfer.

A left-sided forward, van Persie made his Feyenoord debut in the 2001-02 campaign, during which he made 10 appearances, before starring with eight goals last season.