Juventus are more confident of persuading Robin van Persie to sign after the Arsenal forward failed to rule out a move to the Italian club this summer. The Holland forward said that he wants to concentrate on Euro 2012, although he will return to the Emirates Stadium with less than a year on his contract.
“Juventus is a strong club,” he said. “But I agreed with Arsenal that I’m not talking about my future. All I can say is that my intention to have a great European Championship and take the cup home. I want to remain playing in the Champions League. I’ve never felt so strong and I want to continue winning matches.”
Van der Vaart sought
Schalke have confirmed that they have approached Tottenham Hotspur to sign Rafael Van der Vaart, the Holland forward, who moved to White Hart Lane from Real Madrid for about £9 million and has two years left on his contact. The German club are also looking at Eljero Elia, of Juventus, and Salomon Kalou, who is out of contract at Chelsea. “There is contact with Tottenham, which is the first step,” Horst Heldt, the Schalke sporting director, said.
Mackay ruled out
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Malky Mackay appears to be out of the running for the Norwich job after David McNally, the club’s chief executive, said they were looking for a manager with “top-league” experience to replace Paul Lambert. The Cardiff City manager had been linked with the vacancy, but, with no experience above the npower Championship, he appears to have been ruled out of the running to take charge of the Barclays Premier League club.
Muamba optimistic
Fabrice Muamba, the Bolton Wanderers midfield player, has not given up hope of playing again after recovering from a cardiac arrest suffered during an FA Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur in March. “I am improving slowly but surely and at the moment I am not doing exercise, I am just enjoying life and travelling,” he said. “I have to co-ordinate with my doctor and see what he says but I’ll never say never.”
Restless Mulumbu
Youssouf Mulumbu has claimed that his agent has spoken to Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur about a transfer from West Bromwich Albion. The midfield player has three years left on his deal but says that he needs a new challenge. “We have already started talking to teams,” Mulumbu said. “I continued to show all my abilities and that is why I hope to join a club in another class.”
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Reading are confident of signing Carlos Sánchez, the defensive midfield player, who is out of contract having left Valenciennes after five years in France. Nicknamed “La Roca”, Sánchez has made 25 appearances for Colombia. The newly promoted Barclays Premier League side are also keen to sign Adrian Mariappa, the defender, from Watford.