Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 9y

Besiktas director keen on Manchester United striker Robin van Persie

Besiktas are interested in signing Manchester United striker Robin van Persie, one of their directors has said.

Van Persie, who has entered the final year of his contract at Old Trafford, has admitted he is unsure where his future lies after losing his place as United's first-choice forward.

The 31-year-old has said his decision could be made by his family and influenced by his determination to play enough football to prepare him for Euro 2016.

But Besiktas are keen to take Van Persie to Turkey, though they accept it will be difficult to afford a player who earns £240,000-a-week.

Director Yalcin Kaya Yilmaz told HaberTurk: "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."

Besiktas, who finished third in the Turkish Super Lig last season, are looking for a striker after selling top scorer Demba Ba to Shanghai Shenhua.

Last month, Lazio dismissed reports they were trying to sign Van Persie after he was spotted in Rome, saying they could not afford the Netherlands captain.

But United manager Louis van Gaal had refused to confirm Van Persie would be United again next season while the former Arsenal forward has said he has ambitions to play regular first-team football.

He only began one of United's last 13 games -- which included a spell on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury -- and scored only 10 goals in the 2014-15 campaign, after netting 30 and 18 times in his first two seasons at Old Trafford.

Van Persie cost £24 million from Arsenal in 2012 but captain Wayne Rooney established himself as the regular in Van Gaal's attack by the end of last season.

^ Back to Top ^