Juventus tempt Van Persie away from Man Utd... and Arsenal
Italian club set to sign the Dutch striker this summer, Podolski unaware of Arsenal Draxler swap
ITALIAN giants Juventus are "waiting to pounce" on Manchester United striker Robin van Persie this summer and snatch him away from his old club, Arsenal, who had been tipped to lure him back to the Emirates after two years away.
According to Talksport the 30-year-old striker is increasingly likely to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season after allegedly growing disenchanted with life under David Moyes.
Juventus were linked to the former Arsenal frontman in the summer of 2012 when he decided to turn his back on the Emirates but United beat them to the hand of the Dutchman. Two years on, however, and Talksport reports that the Turin outfit are serious about a big money move for Van Persie and "talks have already been held" between the player's agent and the Serie A champions.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Apparently rumours circulating of late that Van Persie's contract contains a clause which will allow him to leave Old Trafford should they fail to qualify for the Champions League are wide of the mark – not unlike one of his headers – and he will only leave if Juventus come up with a stack load of cash.
In other news Metro reports that Arsenal have "made contact" with Anderlecht over a deal for defender Cheikhou Kouyate. The Belgian giants believe it's only a matter of time before the 24-year-old Kouyate ups sticks and moves to the Emirates, particularly as it's well known that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is "a huge admirer" of the defender.
The Nutty Professor will have taken some pleasure in the way Arsenal's back four performed in Tuesday in the 1-1 draw at Bayern Munich, Metro says he is resigned to losing Thomas Vermaelen in the summer. That has led Arsenal to court Kouyate with the defender's agent, Saffet Balkan, declaring: "Arsenal have been tracking Cheikhou and have now made enquiries [to Anderlecht]."
Still with the Gunners and their goalscorer last night - Lukas Podolski - has "played down reports" he could be used as a bargaining chip when Arsenal sit down with Schalke and attempt to thrash out a deal for Julian Draxler.
The 20-year-old Draxler remains top of Wenger's summer shopping list but the Evening Standard says Arsenal are considering parting company with Podolski if it will help land the young striker. But despite the rumours Podlski was playing mum when asked about the gossip on Tuesday: "I do not know what the [club] are planning," he said. "I only know that a swap deal involving me and him was never a consideration... I am in contact with Julian. He is a great guy... but we haven't spoken about a move."
Finally, the Daily Mail is just one of several papers to notice that Zenit St Petersburg striker Hulk "caused a stir" on Tuesday by posting a picture of himself and his agent flying to London on a social networking site. The Brazilian hitman has been on Chelsea's radar for over a year and the Mail believes it's no coincident that on the same day the Russian club gave manager Luciano Spalletti the boot, he posts a photo of himself bound for London. Earlier in the month Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was caught complaining about his striker shortage at the Bridge and it's believed a move for Hulk is in the summer pipeline.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures Firing shells, burning ballots, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
Damian Barr shares his favourite books
The Week Recommends The writer and broadcaster picks works by Alice Walker, Elif Shafak and others
By The Week UK Published
-
The Great Mughals: a 'treasure trove' of an exhibition
The Week Recommends The V&A's new show is 'spell-binding'
By The Week UK Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Thomas Tuchel to become next England football manager
Speed Read 'Divisive' German coach hopes to lead the men's team to victory
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
Talking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
By The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man Utd win the Carabao Cup: how Erik ten Hag has ‘transformed’ the Red Devils
feature United lifted their first silverware since 2017 after beating Newcastle at Wembley
By Mike Starling Published
-
Pros and cons of VAR in football
Pros and Cons String of mistakes has put new technology under the microscope
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published