|
|
Van Persie denies expressing interest in joining Real Madrid
Marca stated that the player said he was open to moving to the Santiago Bernabeu during a telephone conversation on Thursday, but the Dutchman claims he never spoke to the paper
11-Feb-2012 12:22:00 AM
By Ben Hayward
Getty Images
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has vehemently denied showing an interest in joining Real Madrid.
Marca claimed that during a short telephone conversation with the player on Thursday the Netherlands international had been buoyed by reports that Los Blancos were keen on signing him.
"I am pleased to hear about the interest from such an important club as Real Madrid," Van Persie allegedly told the Spanish daily.
"Of course I would like to play there ... [But] I don't think Arsenal will agree to negotiate."
However, the player himself has moved to dismiss the veracity of the article on his Twitter profile.
"Contrary to reports in Spain I have NEVER spoken to Marca newspaper and never gave any interview. Enjoy your day," the in-form striker wrote.
Van Persie, who has struck a career-best total of 28 goals for the Gunners already this season, has been linked with both Madrid and Barcelona in the last few weeks.
Madrid coach Jose Mourinho was in the market for a top striker last summer, but was frustrated in his attempts to bring in Sergio Aguero from Atletico, with the Argentine eventually signing for Manchester City in a deal worth around €40 million.
And despite the positive form of both Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain this season, Mourinho is still thought to be keen on signing a world-class frontman.
Marca claimed that during a short telephone conversation with the player on Thursday the Netherlands international had been buoyed by reports that Los Blancos were keen on signing him.
"I am pleased to hear about the interest from such an important club as Real Madrid," Van Persie allegedly told the Spanish daily.
"Of course I would like to play there ... [But] I don't think Arsenal will agree to negotiate."
However, the player himself has moved to dismiss the veracity of the article on his Twitter profile.
"Contrary to reports in Spain I have NEVER spoken to Marca newspaper and never gave any interview. Enjoy your day," the in-form striker wrote.
Van Persie, who has struck a career-best total of 28 goals for the Gunners already this season, has been linked with both Madrid and Barcelona in the last few weeks.
Madrid coach Jose Mourinho was in the market for a top striker last summer, but was frustrated in his attempts to bring in Sergio Aguero from Atletico, with the Argentine eventually signing for Manchester City in a deal worth around €40 million.
And despite the positive form of both Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain this season, Mourinho is still thought to be keen on signing a world-class frontman.
How do you stay up to date with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com – your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.
Inside Goal.Com
-
Vote for your Goal.com World Player of the Week
Have your say on who you think should win Goal.com's weekly honour
-
Euro 2012 a timely respite for depressed Spain
With 24 per cent unemployment, wage cuts and little hope for improvement in the short term, the continental competition will at least take people's minds off their sad situation
-
Welbeck impresses but it's a bad day for Johnson
Ashley Young has also all but secured his place in the starting line up against France while Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Here's how the Belgium friendly affected the England player's chances of featuring in Euro 2012
-
Five players Rodgers could sign for Liverpool
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Lambert the latest in EPL manager merry-go-round
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday