Besiktas director Yalcin Kaya Yilmaz has expressed his desire to sign Manchester United striker Robin van Persie.
Robin van Persiea s future at Old Trafford has been under constant speculation this summer. The 31-year-old made 25 starts in the league last season and ended up scoring 10 goals a his lowest since the 2009-10 season. The Dutchman has struggled with his fitness once again and didna t feature in Louis van Gaala s team in towards the end of the campaign.
Louis van Gaal is desperate to reshape his squad this summer after a trophy-less campaign last time around and Van Persie doesna t feature in future plans for the club. The striker is likely to be sold this summer with United being linked with the likes of Lacazette, and even Thomas Muller recently.
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Italian clubs Juventus, Lazio and AS Roma have all been linked with van Persie. While Juventus have already signed Mario Mandzukic, AS Roma have seemingly shifted their focus on Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko and Anderlecht youngster Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Van Persiea s high wages has deterred most of his suitors till now, with Lazio confirming that they cannot afford the Dutch international. Van Persie is currently on a A?240,000-a-week salary and he certainly needs to take a pay-cut in order to move from Old Trafford. Very few will be willing, or afford, to offer that much for a 31-year-old injury-prone striker.
Van Persie has earlier stated his desire to play regular first team football, and with the European Championship looming large on the horizon, he needs a change in scenario. The former Arsenal striker has also attracted interest from Turkish clubs Besiktas and Fenerbahce. Besiktas director Yalcin Kaya Yilmaz has confirmed his interest in signing van Persie, although accepting that it would set them back financially.
“If the conditions are right and if he also wants to come we are willing to make an offer even if it would push us to the limit financially.
“He would really get the crowd going at the Arena and sales from season tickets and merchandise alone would be able to make back our investment.” a The Besiktas director told Haber Turk.
Besiktas have lost their lead striker Demba Ba to Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua this summer and are in the market for a new front man. Despite their interest, van Persie might be more interested in a move to one of the top four European leagues in this window. A move to Turkish league might feel like a step down at this point of his career.