Want-away Robin bides his time

Robin van Persie was all smiles as he returned to Arsenal pre-season training yesterday, but the future of the Gunners skipper remains uncertain.

Holland international van Persie, who turns 29 at the start of August, announced after Euro 2012 he would not be renewing his current Arsenal deal, which expires at the end of next season.

However, despite reported interest from Manchester City and Juventus, both willing to offer the Dutchman big wages, van Persie has joined up with his team-mates at their Hertfordshire base following an extended break.

After van Persie made an announcement on Facebook, which included questioning the club’s ambitions, Arsenal responded by saying while they “respected” their captain’s position and they were “confident he will fulfil his commitments to the club”.

Those would include jetting off with the rest of the squad for the start of Arsenal’s Asia tour, where the Gunners will play a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur next week and is followed by a friendly against Premier League champions Manchester City in Beijing on July 27.

Wenger has already moved to bolster Arsenal’s frontline next season with the purchase of both France striker Giroud and German international Lukas Podolski.

Further additions are also expected, regardless of van Persie’s future — with Rennes midfielder Yann M’Vila, Barcelona’s Ibrahim Afellay and Corinthians midfielder Paulinho all reported targets.

Arsenal will also look to sell off fringe players. The Gunners have agreed to a permanent move for Mexico forward Carlos Vela to Real Sociedad following his loan spell last season.

Other players who could move on include striker Nicklas Bendtner and Russian Andrey Arshavin, both who were on loan from the Gunners last season.

Meanwhile Newcastle are happy to play a waiting game over their bids to land striker Andy Carroll and full-back Mathieu Debuchy.

The Magpies’ initial approaches for both men have been rebuffed, although with both players having indicated their willingness to head for Tyneside — if only temporarily in the case of Carroll — manager Alan Pardew is hoping for fresh developments.

Carroll’s arrival or otherwise is likely to come down to money, with Liverpool understood to be open only to a permanent transfer despite the 23-year-old’s determination to prove himself at Anfield.

Newcastle’s interest is based on a loan deal with an option to buy their former player, but the Reds are keen to recoup as much as possible of the £35m they handed over to lure him to Merseyside in January last year.

Liverpool reportedly value Carroll at £20m, way in excess of what Newcastle would be prepared to pay.

In the case of Lille defender Debuchy, the Magpies are biding their time, with the 26-year-old France international signalling his intention to leave.

One move that was finalised last night in France saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic complete his move from AC Milan to Paris St Germain.

The move, along with Thiago Silva’s move to Paris, is believed to be worth in the region of £50m. PSG will unveil Ibrahimovic today.

Elsewhere, Michael Owen says he is on the brink of resolving his future. Owen was released by Manchester United earlier this summer after three seasons at Old Trafford plagued by injury woes. Stoke are understood to be leading the race for the 32-year-old former England international. Everton are also been rumoured to be keen.

Premier League new boys Reading were busy last night, making two signings. After announcing the signing of Watford centre-back Adrian Mariappa earlier, Wales international Gunter Nottingham Forest right-back Chris Gunter last night became Reading’s second signing of the day.

And Leeds manager Neil Warnock has confirmed that Norwich have had a bid rejected for captain Robert Snodgrass.