Former Dutch international Pierre van Hooijdonk insists that Manchester United are trying to sell Robin van Persie behind his back, since January.
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. But according to van Hooijdonk Pierre, this is not the first time van Persie has been pushed towards an Old Trafford exit.
The former Dutch international, who played with van Persie during his time at Feyenoord, has claimed that the English club tried to offload the striker back in January. In his column for Voetbal International, Hooijdonk wrote that United were in contact with Fenerbahce during the winter transfer window.
a As early as January of this year, I received information from Turkey about Robin and Fenerbahce. The minute this information came, you knew that United had sent people to test the water for a move.
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a Agents and others were searching for big clubs who are prepared to pay the high fee involved for van Persie. Robina s contract expires next year, so this is the moment when United can still get money for him.a a Hooijdonk wrote.
The 45-year-old sympathises with van Persie and insist that despite his calmness about the situation, he would have realized that the club is forcing him out. He also warned the Dutchman that the club could make a deal without his information.
a Van Persie is in a difficult situation. To the outside world he says he is happy to stay and I can understand this. But Robin has the feeling that United want to get rid of him.
a A big club in England, Spain or Germany is a more attractive option. Until the player realises that behind his back the two clubs have done a big deal.
a That is the moment the pressure is put on. You are almost forced to go to the club where your employer has struck a deal. This is what I mean with games being played right now.a a He added.
The former Arsenal striker has been linked with a move to Turkey with Fenerbahce interested in signing him. Hooijdonk, who spent two seasons with Fenerbahce, insisted that despite the financial lure, the quality of football wona t be satisfactory for someone like him. He has also advised the striker to leave Old Trafford and concentrate on retaining his place in the Dutch national team, ahead of the European championship.
a Of course the money is good, life is good in Istanbul, but it is not a big football league in Europe we are talking about.
a There is a lot at stake right now for Robin. He could be heading for his last Euro tournament in France next summer. So he needs to play a lot in the 10 months before the Euros.
a I would advise Robin to leave United this summer. All the signals are there that the club wants to sell him. So he has to get out on time.a a He said.