Arsenal tracking RVP´s son, 5

Arsenal have shown an interest in signing Robin van Persie’s five-year-old son.

Shaqueel van Persie has already shown talents in both football and golf and has been playing for a club near to the family home, and the Gunners have seen enough of the youngster to invite him to a couple of sessions.

However, Van Persie senior is happy for his son to stay with his current side and insists he does not need to answer Arsenal’s calls just yet.

“I honestly have to say that he has got a lot of talent for football,” Van Persie said.

“I recognise a lot of stuff of myself in him. His coach is really great. Arsenal has invited him a couple of times to come and play there but he likes it at his club. He’s sensitive for a good atmosphere. Just like me.”

“He loves to play golf. You’ve got some great golf courses here. He’s taking lessons and we regularly play a round. Sometimes he beats me! He’s got a great gift for where the ball has to go. My shots sometimes end up in the bush; his always go straight. He says: ‘Dad, I’m going to chip now, gimme my this or that club’. He can do that perfectly as well.”

The Dutchman has halted talks on extending his own career at Arsenal and will continue discussions in the summer, when he will have 12 months left on his current contract.

A handful of clubs are keeping tabs on the prolific goalscorer and Van Persie himself has spoken of his admiration for Barcelona.

“I still think you can achieve most by playing beautiful football,” he told NUsport magazine.

“Look at Barcelona. Their football is something unique, beautiful to watch. We will never forget it. But sometimes, they also depend on the individual actions of (Lionel) Messi or somebody else.”

“Nobody can play beautiful football all the time. That’s what I tell the boys (at Arsenal). When it doesn’t go smoothly, just try to kill the game.”

“I’m still a lover of the game and I will always be but I’ve become more realistic. It’s too romantic to think you can only win by playing beautiful football. Barcelona is the exception.”