World Football Gossip Roundup: Van Persie, Podolski, Ballack, Oliveira, Nolito

It's a new day, and that probably means Robin van Persie is winning awards and being linked with moves away from Arsenal.

Check and check.

On this Tuesday, the B/R World Football Gossip Roundup has the latest RvP transfer rumors, Arsenal's quest to sign Lukas Podolski and Liverpool's quest to sign yet another midfielder.

All that and more inside.

RvP to Juventus?

Troubling news for Arsenal fans today. Robin van Persie could be on his way out of the Emirates.

From the Daily Mirror:

"

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie’s agent has held talks about a summer move to Juventus.

…

The Italian giants will make a determined effort to sign the Dutch striker and are prepared to pay in excess of £25million.

The 28-year-old, who's favourite to be named the Football Writers' Footballer of the Year to add to the PFA equivalent he won at the weekend, will be offered a new four-year deal that will shatter Arsenal's wage structure—plus a £5m signing-on fee.

"

The article says Arsenal might let van Persie's contract run out after next season, rather than selling him this summer.

Since that article was published, RvP has won the FWA award.

Podolski Deal Done?

In other Arsenal news, the Lukas Podolski deal is done, according to reports out of Germany.

Also, the transfer fee will be less than £10 million.

From Metro:

"

The 26-year-old forward will supposedly be sold for just under £10 million, with the fee set to rise depending on appearances, his performance and the number of trophies he wins.

"

Podolski has represented Germany 95 times.

Xhaka to Germany?

According to German magazine Kicker, Basel midfielder Granit Xhaka could be heading to the Bundesliga.

Borussia Monchengladbach would be Xhaka's destination.

From Goal.com:

"

The Switzerland international has already revealed his desire to join the Bundesliga outfit, but the two clubs have not yet agreed a transfer fee. Die Fohlen are allegedly willing to pay €7 million (£5.7m) for the 19-year-old, whereas Basel are hoping for a sum closer to €10m (£8.2m).

Gladbach sporting director Max Eberl is said to have begun negotiations last Sunday, with more to come during the next few weeks.

The German club will have a sizeable transfer kitty after confirming the €17.1m (£14m) sale of Marco Reus to Dortmund, and Xhaka is the club's first choice to replace Schalke-bound midfielder Roman Neustadter. The 19-year-old Basel man's current contract is set to expire in 2015.

"

Xhaka's teammate Xherdan Shaqiri has already agreed to join Bayern Munich this summer.

Liverpool Like Nolito?

Because Liverpool clearly don't have enough midfielders already, the Reds are plotting a move for Benfica midfielder Nolito this summer.

That's according to talkSport, which says Liverpool could pay £15 million for the 25-year-old.

Chelsea, Barca Fighting for Oliveira?

Elsewhere in Benfica transfer rumors, talkSport is also reporting that Chelsea and Barcelona's on-pitch competition has spilled over into the transfer market.

It seems Benfica forward Nelson Oliveira is wanted by both clubs. Oliveira earned his first cap for Portugal in February.

According to the article, Barcelona sent scouts to watch Oliveira over the weekend.

Ballack to MLS?

Speaking of Chelsea, former Blues midfielder Michael Ballack is "leaning towards" an MLS move this summer.

Ballack, 35, is expected to leave Bayer Leverkusen after the season.

Goal.com reports:

"

"The fire is still burning, I am still looking for a challenge," Ballack told ZDF.

"There were talks with Major League Soccer, I am leaning towards a move there. A decision will not be made until after the season."

"

I say send him to Los Angeles to play with David Beckham and the Galaxy. That mask could set up a funny beauty-and-the-beast scenario.

Kuyt and Maxi to Stay?

A few weeks ago, veterans Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez had been expected to leave Liverpool this summer.

Now? Not so much.

From The Sun:

"

The pair were expected to leave this summer but could now stay on after the axing of Kop director of football Damien Comolli.

Liverpool are currently eighth and Kuyt said: “When you play for Liverpool you have to win every game.”

"

Dramatic Handshake?

Drama awaits Queens Park Rangers in their trip to Stamford Bridge this weekend.

Chelsea defender John Terry allegedly abused QPR's Anton Ferdinand during a league match last fall. When the two clubs met again in an FA Cup match in January, they skipped the traditional pregame handshake.

So what will happen this time? Jeremy Wilson of The Telegraph writes:

"

Ferdinand intends to consult his team-mates and manager Mark Hughes over the next 48 hours before deciding how to approach Sunday’s match. There are also expected to be conversations between the two clubs.

Ferdinand is desperate not to do anything that could be deemed in any way prejudicial to Terry’s hearing, which is scheduled to begin on July 9, and may even take legal advice over his best course of action. Terry has repeatedly denied the allegation against him.

"

Sounds like a tough decision.

Adebayor out at Tottenham?

Finally, we conclude with some utterly shocking news.

On-loan striker Emmanuel Adebayor could be done at Tottenham Hotspur after an alleged bust-up with manager Harry Redknapp.

From the Daily Mirror:

"

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has become frustrated with the on-loan Manchester City striker, and the pair have had a frank exchange of views amid his personal run of poor form.

Adebayor, who missed Saturday's defeat at QPR with a hamstring injury, felt he was being singled out as Redknapp looked for reasons why they have managed just one win in nine games.

"

Let me get this straight. Emmanuel Adebayor is having trouble getting along with his manager? Now that just boggles the mind.