Rvp

Agreed. There really is no other explanation at this point.

Makes me think his one and only amazing season for us was just an elaborate ploy to get a mahoosive contact with another club. I wouldn't have paid him in magic beans 2 seasons ago, curse you RVP

i think the RVP money was already spent on those players.

I think RVP (and/or his PR) is just too stupid.
If he just wanted to leave, just said it. No need to make any excuse, or saying AFC is not ambitious enough. As an injury prone player and 29 years old, I think many of the fans would understand if he wants a huge paycheck before he retires. He deserves a huge paycheck as the best forward last season.
If he wanted to pull a "Rooney", his statement just simply went a bit too far. Absolutely he could have said something more nicer, or delay the signing, rather than burning the bridge and not signing the extension by bad mouthing the management.
Now, the bridge is burnt, 3 good (if not great) and proven players are signed. Whatever decision he is going to make the relationship with the management, the players and the fans is damaged. Be honest, he stays or not I believe many of us don't care anymore, as the club has moved on already.

Anywhere but utd tho!, major kick in the teeth for us gooners if it happens.

I've pretty much accepted that he'll leave, it's the thought of him joining another PL team (most likely United) that sickens me. Surely there's got to be some interest in him on the continent, even if it means getting less money for him! Unless AFC get out of this mentality of selling their best players to PL rivals, we will never shake off the tag of a 'feeder club', for whom a top 4 finish is the 'sole ambition'.