Transfer Centre

Ray Parlour calls for Robin van Persie replacement

By Matt Cotton, ReporterPublished: 23 July 2012 5:26 AM

Ray Parlour says that Arsene Wenger must reinvest the money from the potential sale of Robin van Persie into signing Arsenal a new striker.

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour has urged Arsene Wenger to sign a replacement for Robin van Persie should he sell the Dutchman this summer.

The Gunners captain has just one year left on his current deal with the club but has already stated his desire to leave the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger has already recruited strikers Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud this transfer window, but Parlour insists that his former boss will need to sign another forward if Van Persie leaves.

"The most important thing for Arsenal Football Club – because no player is bigger than the club – is that whatever money they get for Van Persie, £20m or £25m, they have to reinvest it this time," Parlour told talkSPORT.

"When Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri left they didn't reinvest it but now they definitely need another striker.

"They've got Giroud and Podolski coming in but they definitely need another top-class striker and with that £20m that's what Wenger has got to try and do. He has got to find that little gem that can step into Van Persie's shoes but it is not going to be easy."

Manchester City, Manchester United and Juventus have all had bids for the Dutch international rejected by Arsenal.