Arsenal’s scouting team will hold a
meeting at the club’s London Colney HQ at the start of next week to
discuss the prospect of replacing wantaway skipper Robin van Persie.Sportsmail understands
Fiorentina forward Stevan Jovetic and Borussia Dortmund striker Robert
Lewandowski were both watched by the scouts last season and will be on
the agenda.
Van Persie is keen to have his exit finalised by the time the club’s Asia tour kicks off on July 24. It is understood that he would rather not be included in the squad that flies to Malaysia as it would delay his pending move.
But manager Arsene Wenger is unlikely to take a lenient view on him missing the trip.
Wenger has not given up hope of
persuading Van Persie to change his mind and is planning a
heart-to-heart meeting with the striker when he reports for pre-season
training in around 10 days.
But there is a feeling at the Emirates Stadium that Van Persie’s position is untenable after he admitted he does not agree with the club’s direction.
As Sportsmail revealed, both Manchester clubs will battle it out for Van Persie’s signature in the coming weeks.
City would prefer to off-load one of their strikers before committing to a move for the 28-year-old — but with talks over Emmanuel Adebayor’s permanent move to Tottenham progressing well, that problem could soon be solved.
Juventus remain in the running to sign Van Persie despite holding talks with Napoli forward Edinson Cavani and remain confident of luring the Holland striker to Italy.
On Thursday, Arsenal's turbulent week
descended into civil war after the club’s second biggest shareholder
launched a withering attack on primary owner Stan Kroenke.
Less than 24 hours after Van Persie revealed his intention to leave the Gunners with a statement questioning the club’s ambition, Alisher Usmanov and Farhad Moshiri — who own close to 30 per cent of Arsenal shares through investment vehicle Red and White Holdings — criticised the Kroenke regime.
In
a strongly worded five-page open letter addressed to the Arsenal board,
Usmanov and Moshiri claim what they view as Kroenke’s lack of
investment has led to:
* the loss of the club’s best players
* Arsenal signing second-rate stars
* the club no longer being able to challenge for trophies
An extract from the letter read: ‘As a
consequence of this (Mr Kroenke’s) policy, which is dressed up as
prudent financial planning, it is down to our manager, and not our
shareholders, to have to deal with the club’s tight finances, carry the
burden of repaying the stadium debt by selling his best players and
having to continue to find cheaper replacements.
‘This policy is leading to the loss
of our best players, often to our main competitors, and even causes the
players themselves to question their future at the club and the club’s
ambitions.’
The letter continued: ‘It appears a place in the Champions League will be the pinnacle of our ambition again next season.’
Usmanov and Moshiri’s attack plunges the club into further controversy after Van Persie confirmed he would not be signing a new contract.
While Red and White Holdings have no major influence at the club due to the fact they have not been granted a place on the Arsenal board, the letter turns up the heat on Kroenke and the club’s hierarchy as the prospect of another summer of losing their prized asset looms.
Meanwhile, Theo Walcott could become the next big-name player to depart.
Like Van Persie, the England forward is in the final 12 months of his contract but the club have yet to call him in for talks over a new deal.
Chelsea are monitoring the 23-year-old’s situation.
Van Persie is keen to have his exit finalised by the time the club’s Asia tour kicks off on July 24. It is understood that he would rather not be included in the squad that flies to Malaysia as it would delay his pending move.
Can they replace RVP? Stevan Jovetic (left) and Robert Lewandowski (right)
But there is a feeling at the Emirates Stadium that Van Persie’s position is untenable after he admitted he does not agree with the club’s direction.
I'm off: Robin van Persie announced he will not be signing a new contract
City would prefer to off-load one of their strikers before committing to a move for the 28-year-old — but with talks over Emmanuel Adebayor’s permanent move to Tottenham progressing well, that problem could soon be solved.
Juventus remain in the running to sign Van Persie despite holding talks with Napoli forward Edinson Cavani and remain confident of luring the Holland striker to Italy.
Hitting out: Russian-based billionaire and Arsenal shareholder Alisher
Usmanov
Less than 24 hours after Van Persie revealed his intention to leave the Gunners with a statement questioning the club’s ambition, Alisher Usmanov and Farhad Moshiri — who own close to 30 per cent of Arsenal shares through investment vehicle Red and White Holdings — criticised the Kroenke regime.
WHAT USMANOV SAID...
* the loss of the club’s best players
* Arsenal signing second-rate stars
* the club no longer being able to challenge for trophies
Under pressure: Usmanov's attack has turned up the heat on Stan Kroenke
ARSENAL SHAREHOLDERS
- Kroenke Sports Enterprises UK Ltd - 41,581 shares = 66.83 per cent
- Red and White Securities Ltd (Alisher Usmanov and Farhad Moshiri)
18,495 shares = 29.72 per cent - Other shareholders = 3.45 per cent
The letter continued: ‘It appears a place in the Champions League will be the pinnacle of our ambition again next season.’
Usmanov and Moshiri’s attack plunges the club into further controversy after Van Persie confirmed he would not be signing a new contract.
While Red and White Holdings have no major influence at the club due to the fact they have not been granted a place on the Arsenal board, the letter turns up the heat on Kroenke and the club’s hierarchy as the prospect of another summer of losing their prized asset looms.
Emirates exit? Winger Theo Walcott (right) could be the next to leave
Like Van Persie, the England forward is in the final 12 months of his contract but the club have yet to call him in for talks over a new deal.
Chelsea are monitoring the 23-year-old’s situation.
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