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29 March 2024

Arsenal's Van Persie prefers Barca to Juve

Arsenal's Robin van Persie celebrates after his third goal against Wigan Athletic during their English Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium in London in this January 22, 2011 file photograph. (REUTERS)

Published
By Staff

Newly crowned Serie A champions Juventus have renewed their interest in Arsenal captain Robin van Persie despite his preference to play in La Liga if he were to leave Emirates.

Barcelona would be his first choice since he would be able to team up with former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.

The Premier League's top goal scorer has shunned interest from the Turin giants who are willing to offer his £25 million, according to the Mirror.

Juventus are looking to fill the vacuum when veteran Alessandro Del Piero leaves the club next month while on-loan striker Marco Borriello expected to return to Roma in July.

"Van Persie is a great player," Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta said to www.calciomercato.com.

"He is a complete player and would be useful to any team. But he still has one year left in his contract with Arsenal.

"We will try to put the icing on the cake this summer but the important thing is that the mix is good."

Juventus will certainly test the resolve of Arsene Wenger who is also set to go on a buying spree this summer having already acquired Lukas Podolski from Cologne.

Van Persie who leads the Barclays Premier League goalscoring chart with 30 so far this season, is also wanted by Manchester City.

Juve also have Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, Newcastle's Hatem Ben Arfa and Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain on their hit list as they seek one world-class striker to boost their Champions League credentials.

"Van Persie, Suarez or Higuain? They are three important players," Marotta said.

"In fantasy football we could have the three of them playing in the same line-up but in reality, it is different.

"If one of them arrives (here) is not because he will be the less talented as other things have to be taken into account, such as the financial aspect.

"Moreover, if (Real Madrid coach Jose) Mourinho does not want to sell Higuain it will be impossible for us to get him and we also have to take that into consideration."