AC MILAN intend to offer Arsenal £30m for Robin van Persie when they come to London in a fortnight’s time for the second leg of their Champions League tie. With the Italian side holding a 4-0 advantage after last week’s first leg in the San Siro, Italian rag Corriere dello Sport claims that Milan will rub the Gunners’ noses in it with a big money offer for the Dutch striker.
Apparently Milan president Adriano Galliani is confident of signing Van Persie as he faces up to another season without silverware at the Emirates. He has 15 months remaining on his existing contract and Corriere dello Sport speculates that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will agree to sell Van Persie when faced with such an attractive offer. This despite reports that Wenger hopes to build a new team around the Dutchman this summer – if the Gunners can finish in the top four.
Meanwhile Milan’s Brazilian defender Thiago Silva indulged in some brown-nosing of the highest order in a sordid attempt to turn Van Persie’s head, telling the paper: “He is a champion and all champions are welcome at AC Milan. He is a player who can bring many things to a team.”
And it appears that Van Persie isn’t the only player on Milan’s summer shopping list. Talksport claims that Benfica midfielder Javi Garcia is also being courted by the Italian outfit, news that’s sure to leave Alex Ferguson as angry as Adele at an awards night.
The Manchester United manager has been monitoring the 25-year-old Spanish star for months, and it was believed Fergie was intending to make an offer for the strongly-built six-footer. But now Talksport reports that Milan have muscled their way in on the act and are allegedly happy to meet Benfica’s asking price of £17m. Garcia joined the Portuguese club from Real Madrid in 2009 and has become an integral part of their midfield.
Are Ashley Cole‘s days at Stamford Bridge drawing to a close? They are, according to The Sun, which says the England left-back is “heading for the Chelsea exit” after a frank exchange of views with manager Andre Villas-Boas earlier in the week.
The paper says that the Blues’ owner Roman Abramovich has had enough of the curmudgeonly Cole and he will be offloaded at the end of the season. Quoting a club insider, the Sun says: “When the players question the manager, they are questioning the owner’s judgment… Mr Abramovich is fed up with their moaning.”
Where the 31-year-old Cole might go if he is indeed given the bullet by the Blues remains to be seen. Team-mate Frank Lampard, also allegedly unhappy with life in west London, has been linked with a move to the States and the MLS, so Cole could try his luck there.
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