Pierre van Hooijdonk, former Netherlands striker, sensationally believes that Manchester United have been searching for clubs willing to sign Robin van Persie as early as January.
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The ex-Arsenal captain started 25 Premier League games in Louis van Gaal’s debut campaign at Old Trafford; however, after managing just 10 goals, van Persie may now be surplus to requirements with the English giants.
His possible departure from the Theatre of Dreams may be desired by Red Devils chiefs, as van Hooijdonk seems convinced that the club have been making contact with potential suitors over the past seven months.
“As early as January of this year, I received information from Turkey about Robin and Fenerbahce,” he began, as quoted by the Mirror.
“The minute this information came, you knew that United had sent people to test the water for a move.
“Agents and others were searching for big clubs who are prepared to pay the high fee involved for van Persie. Robin’s contract expires next year, so this is the moment when United can still get money for him.”
While van Hooijdonk has revealed that Fenerbahce are interested, Galatasaray have also been linked [Manchester Evening News], along with, most recently, Besiktas [Daily Mail] from Turkey’s Super Lig.
Last month, the Daily Mail reported that van Gaal is unhappy with the fitness of his compatriot, with the British newspaper claiming that van Persie has been told that he must begin to adapt to the intense training sessions of his former international manager.
However, if reports prove correct, the striker may not have to worry about the demands of his current boss – and he could, along with Real Madrid target David De Gea [Express], be saying farewell to England’s top flight this summer.