Wenger confident over Van Persie stay

Arsene Wenger insists Robin van Persie will remain at Arsenal this summer and cannot understand why the forward would want to join Juventus.

The Dutchman is entering the final year of his contract and Wenger was keen to resolve the future of his captain before Euro 2012 amidst speculation that the striker could be leaving the Emirates Stadium this summer.

In the end Van Persie jetted off to Poland and Ukraine with his Netherlands team mates without committing himself to the club and speculation remains over his future with continued interest from Manchester City.

According to Sky Sports News the Premier League champions are one of a number of teams to have been linked with the prolific forward, but the father of the 28-year-old has claimed it’s ‘impossible’ that his son will join one of Arsenal’s domestic rivals.

There’s rumoured interested from clubs across Europe but Serie A champions Juventus are eager to sign the player. Reports claim the Italians want to add a big name striker to their ranks but Wenger doesn’t believe Van Persie will end up in Turin. The French manager told the Italian newspaper La Repubblica:

“He will stay at Arsenal.

“There is no reason why a top player, a big champion would want a move to Serie A – in terms of the prestige of the league, the level of play or financial considerations.

“If he moves there, I will buy you a caramello.”

La Liga heavyweights Barcelona and Real Madrid have also been linked with a move for the striker.

By Alex Churcher

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