Van Persie too good for 'low-level' Serie A, claims Wenger
The Frenchman has scoffed at rumours linking the Gunners ace with a
move to Italy, branding the Italian top flight an inferior competition
to the English Premier League
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has dismissed the prospect of leading striker Robin van Persie leaving the club to play in Serie A.
The Dutch international's future at the
Emirates is hanging in the air, with his current contract expiring next
summer and talks on a new deal progressing at a slow pace.
Italian
champions Juventus have been linked with a move for the striker, but
Wenger laughed off the rumour, saying a move to Italy would mark a step
down for the Arsenal skipper.
"In Italy there are big problems
and your league is at a level lower than the Premier League. Serie A is
at a low level now," he was quoted as saying by Corriere dello Sport.
"There is no reason at all why a great player like [Van Persie] should come and play with you, in Italy, in your league.
"Football players get paid better in England, you have not heard of the new television contracts?
"The
Italian league was once extraordinary, and I remember well, when the
league had 16 teams and each team had their own champion. Now it is not
the case."
Both Barcelona and Real Madrid have also been linked
with Van Persie, who was last season's top scorer in England with 37
goals in all competitions.
Source : Goal.com