Van Perise Opts For Italy Over Manchester

With the summer transfer window in full swing, Football Talk will be keeping you up-to-date with all the latest transfer news throughout the summer. Today, Robin van Persie is linked with Juventus.

Arsenal’s want-away captain Robin van Persie has his heart set on a move to Juventus, according to the Mirror.

The report claims that while Manchester United have now edged ahead of rivals Manchester City in the race to sign the Gunners skipper, the Dutch striker has decided he wants to join Italian champions Juventus this summer.

The Serie A giants are now firmly considered as favourites to sign the 28-year-old, ahead of both United and City, and the Italians are confident they can secure a deal to land the player in the coming weeks.

Juventus went the entire season unbeaten to secure the Serie A title last season and are determined to sign a marquee player this summer ahead of their return to the champions league next season.

The Mirror claim they made their move for RVP as early as April and have already had one bid for the 30-goal striker rejected by Arsenal but are prepared to raise their offer and tempt the player with a £180,000-a-week contract.

Van Persie declared his intention not to sign a contract extension at the Emirates on Wednesday and wants to leave the club to win trophies, but despite City’s best efforts to persuade him to remain in the Premier League, a ‘source’ told the Mirror the Dutchman would be open to a switch to Italy.

“The Premier League is not the be all and end all, like it might for an English player.

“Van Persie is Dutch, has a different mindset and other big players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic have had good careers in Italy.”

A ‘source’ told the Mirror.

Man Utd are also keen on him and have now edged ahead of their rivals after it became apparent that City officials have demanded Roberto Mancini sells the like of Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz and Eden Dzeko before a move for Van Persie is made.

FT Verdict

While i don’t believe the Mirror’s supposed ‘source’, i can believe that Van Persie is open to a move to Juventus.

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Has he got his heart set on the move to Italy? I doubt it. I would argue he is hoping that Real Madrid or Barcelona come in for him, as I’m not convinced he really wants to move to another Premier League club. So perhaps Juve are his preferred option of the three, but i don’t think RVP has his heart set on a move to Italy.

Where do you think Van Persie will go? Get involved in the comments section.