Cesc Fabregas urges Robin van Persie to stay at Arsenal

Wanted man: Robin van Persie is a target for some of Europe's biggest clubs

Former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has told Robin van Persie to stay at the club - just one year after he quit the Emirates to join Barcelona. 

Arsenal have reportedly offered Van Persie a new deal worth £130,000-a-week, plus a £5 million re-signing bonus, and may even hold him to the final year of his contract amid interest from Barca, Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester City.

Arsene Wenger faces a battle to keep the Holland international in London and there are fears Van Persie has already been swayed, although Arsenal maintain there is plenty of time for the Dutchman to reflect and commit his remaining peak years to them.

And Fabregas believes staying put would be the best option for both parties: He said: "As an Arsenal fan I would be happy if he stayed in London to help Arsenal win titles."

Gunners fans may be slightly bemused by the comments from Fabregas, as the midfielder was involved in several summer-long transfer sagas, but the midfielder says he remains an Arsenal fan.

Patrick Vieira, a former Gunners player and now Man City's football development executive, confirmed his club's interest in Van Persie, but expects the Dutchman to have plenty of suitors given the uncertainty surrounding his contract.

"I don't think it will only be City who would like these kind of players," he said. "I don't think you have so many good talents like Van Persie who have just one year left on his contract. There will be a lot of teams who will want a player like Van Persie."