ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS: Van Persie, Miyaichi, Bendtner, Nzonzi, and Llorente Involved in Speculation

The summer transfer period continues to be an active one for Arsenal.

Robin van Persie remains a key figure in transfer talks and has been left off the 24-man squad for the upcoming Asia tour.

Manchester United, Manchester City, Juventus, and La Liga titans Real Madrid and Barcelona have all shown interest in the 28-year-old striker. Van Persie has been valued between £30 million and £15 million. Both manager Arsene Wenger and midfielder Aaron Ramsey have publicly expressed their hope that he has a change of heart and signs an extension with the Gunners.

For me, Van Persie is one of the best strikers in the world, if not the best, and my desire is to keep him at the club, Wenger told Arsenal Player. As for the rest, I will do what is in the best interests of Arsenal Football Club. That, at the moment, is where we are. There is not a lot more to say than that.

We don't know anything that goes on. We hope that he stays at Arsenal, Ramsey said. He had a brilliant season last year and he is a big player for us, so we are just hopeful that he will stay.''

Van Persie is coming off a tremendous season where he led all scorers in the Premier League with 30 goals. Should he stay at Emirates, he will be aided by the additions of forwards Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.

Should Arsenal not receive an adequate offer for the Dutch forward, they might consider holding onto him and making a deal in the winter depending on their status in the Premier League and Champions League, or letting him exit for free next summer. His worth to the club for the 2012-2013 season might far outweigh a £15 million transfer fee, though his presence on the club may also serve as a major distraction.

One player that appears almost certain to leave the Gunners is Nicklas Bendtner. The 24-year-old Danish striker is a £7.5 million target for both AC Milan and Galatasaray, according to Daily Mirror. Bendtner impressed in Euro 2012, causing Malaga, Swansea, and some Bundesliga clubs to renew their interest.

Bendtner has been considered an obvious player to make a permanent move from Emirates for quite some time, and was expected to be joined by winger Andrey Arshavin. According to Daily Mail, Qatari club Al-Sadd have shown interest in the 31-year-old Russian. Arshavin has been heavily linked to Zenit St Petersburg, as well.

Young midfielder Ryo Miyaichi had been linked to Dutch club Ajax, but manager Frank De Boer recently denied that the club are pursuing the 19-year-old Japanese star.

In my opinion he is not an option anymore, De Boer told Eredivisie Live. There are several candidates. We'll know more soon.

Daily Star reported that Steven Nzonzi has put the Gunners, as well as Chelsea, on alert. The 23-year-old Blackburn midfielder appears intent on leaving the club. Nzonzi had been linked to Arsenal in February, and Sunderland and Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala have also shown interest.

Fernando Llorente may also be an Arsenal target, based on a Daily Mail report. The 27-year-old Spanish striker is considered an insurance policy in the event that van Persie leaves. The Sun reported in June that Manchester City would pay up to £30 million for the Athletic Bilbao star.