Robin van Persie is one player looking likely to be setting his stall out in the summer, with a move away from Old Trafford the topic of conversation about the striker as opposed to the more favoured – goals. His future is undeniably destined for elsewhere on the globe, but now a Serie A switch appears to be on the cards.
The 31-year-old has been hindered by niggles twice on the trot now and his maiden season with the Red Devils is a somewhat distance memory. In fact, the club are so keen to part with their number 20 that they are reportedly willing to part with £5million in order to see him on the books of an Italian side next campaign.
Ex-Republic of Ireland midfield man, Kevin Kilbane, even questioned whether the injury-laden frontman has a season left in him. Louis van Gaal in particular won’t have a place for van Persie in his line-up he believes, revealing: “The problem is if he’s not starting. He’s not going to be happy. Is he ever going to be fit to play a full season now?”
However, you could say that Manchester United were aware of the dangers, having already earned a reputation of spells on the side-lines at Arsenal. At the time, United’s noisy neighbours exhibited some interest in the man in question, therefore, it comes as no surprise to see Inter Milan lining up an £18million bid.
Roberto Mancini remains insistent on van Persie working under him at some point during his career. Juventus are the other Serie A outfit eyeing up a swoop for the Netherlands International. Matt Law, the Football News Correspondent for The Telegraph, added: “Interestingly, Inter boss Mancini tried to take him to Manchester City before United came in so that looks a sensible link.
“It does seem like it’s coming to an end,” he continued. “He’s got a year left on his contract after this one anyway so they’ll probably have to pay up the remaining year – but it will certainly suit Manchester United to move him on and look elsewhere. Whether it suits him with another year left on a big contract, that’s another thing.”
The Reds have certainly reaped the rewards of their summer signing of 2012, having fired his current club to the top of the table when first starting out. Law emphasised upon this also, continuing: “For him as well, he had it in the back of his mind that he had one shot at the title with his injury record and his age and that was it. They both got what they wanted out of it.”
It’s not all doom and gloom in the final third though as PSG’s Edison Cavani is being linked to a move to England; specifically to the Theatre of Dreams. I’m sure most of the United faithful would agree the Uruguayan would be a fitting replacement.
