World Football Gossip Roundup: Van Persie, Baines, Pato, Ganso, Drogba, Nesta

Until now, no club had publicly expressed interest in signing Robin van Persie away from Arsenal.

Well, so much for that.

The latest RVP speculation leads today's B/R World Football Gossip Roundup, but there's plenty more inside.

We have news from several big clubs, including AC Milan, Chelsea, Liverpool and Inter Milan.

And for a special treat, we have transfer gossip via a tweet.

Read on for all the details.

RVP Latest

According to The Guardian, Juventus are the first club "publicly to express an interest in" signing Robin van Persie.

That doesn't seem possible, but the folks at The Guardian usually know what they're talking about.

Regardless, word out of North London is that the Gunners are confident they'll be able to keep Van Persie this summer.

Elsewhere, talkSPORT is claiming Manchester United will try to sign Van Persie in a "sensational move."

Make of that what you will.

Baines to United?

In slightly more believable Manchester United gossip, Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly planning a £10 million move for Everton full-back Leighton Baines.

That's according to the Daily Mirror, which says Baines would be brought in as a replacement for Patrice Evra, "not an understudy."

Pato Staying, Ganso Coming?

Former AC Milan full-back Serginho, who now serves as a "consultant" to the club, has been saying some things lately.

First, he reportedly said Milan wouldn't sell Pato this summer:

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"With absolute certainty, Milan do not have the slightest intention of negotiating for Pato," the former Rossoneri full-back told Globoesporte.

"He is a very important player. Big clubs want him but I believe it is almost impossible he will leave."

"

Then, in the same report, he said Milan might chase Ganso this summer:

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"Ganso could become a possible target for Milan this summer, because they are still monitoring him. Milan are following Ganso. At the moment there is nothing concrete, but they are always monitoring him," Serginho stated to Globoesporte.

"If Ganso is physically well, he gets a lot of attention for his technical quality. He's a player who offers something different and players in this category are of potential interest to the big clubs.

"Ganso is a different kind of athlete in football today. The big clubs are always interested in players like him, including Milan."

"

What do you think? Those are two big names. Is Serginho running his mouth, or does he know what he's talking about?

Drogba to Leave?

Chelsea reportedly will allow Ivorian forward Didier Drogba to leave the club this month.

Drogba, 34, reportedly insisted on a two-year contract. Chelsea, however, will build the squad around Fernando Torres.

That's all according to the Daily Mirror:

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Senior figures at the club … appear set to ignore Drogba’s immense contribution over the last eight years - and his part in the astonishing turnaround under Di Matteo that has taken the club to its second Champions League Final.

Some have privately accused Drogba of only performing at his best when it suits him—pointing to the fact that he has only scored five league goals this season and suggesting his influence is on the wane.

Such a view flies in the face of his recent displays though, including Wembley strikes against Spurs and Liverpool in the semis and final of the FA Cup.

"

Actually, Daily Mirror writer guy, Drogba's goals at Wembley would support the view that he plays best when it suits him.

Lavezzi Leaving Napoli?

Napoli's lethal three-headed attack might be losing a member shortly.

Argentine attacker Ezequiel Lavezzi is reportedly set to open talks with Inter following Napoli's appearance in the Coppa Italia final on May 20.

From Goal.com:

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The Nerazzurri are in the market for attacking reinforcements due to the ongoing uncertainty regarding the future of Diego Forlan, and they reportedly see the 27-year-old Lavezzi as the perfect addition to their squad.

The Argentina international is believed to have a €31 million buy-out clause in his current contract with Napoli, but Inter are hopeful of pushing the forward's price down, and will open talks with the Partenopei after the Coppa Italia final.

"

Lavezzi signed from San Lorenzo in 2007.

Liverpool Chasing Krasic, Altintop?

Liverpool are being linked with a couple of big-name outcasts.

First, talkSPORT reports that the Reds are interested in Juventus' Milos Krasic (pictured):

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The Serbian winger has made just seven Serie A appearances this season after falling out of favour with manager Antonio Conte.

Krasic was expected to leave Turin in January but Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp had a loan loan bid turned down by the player.

He eventually stayed put in Juventus after the transfer window shut—and has not featured since.

Now a summer departure is almost inevitable and there is no shortage of clubs currently in the hunt for the 27-year-old, who joined Juve for around £13m in 2010.

"

Also, Metro reports that Liverpool are interested in Real Madrid's Hamit Altintop:

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The Turkey star is ready to quit the Spanish champions at the end of the season, having only played five times following his free transfer move from Bayern Munich last summer.

Altintop had enjoyed eight successful years in German football before that, turning out for the likes of Wattenscheid, Schalke and then Munich, operating in a number of different positions, including right back, holding midfield and on the wing.

Liverpool are now keen to benefit from that experience and versatility, with rumours in Spain that a bid of £2 million would be enough to tempt Madrid into parting with the 29-year-old, who's current contract runs until 2015.

"

Nesta to MLS?

Finally, Twitter is the source of some juicy speculation this morning.

Eurosport-Yahoo! supervising editor Tom Adams is reporting via the social network that Alessandro Nesta will announce later today that he is leaving AC Milan to join the New York Red Bulls of MLS.

The press conference was announced on Wednesday, though it was not known what Nesta would say.

Adams' tweet appears below.

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According to our Italian office, Alessandro Nesta will announce at 1pm that he is leaving Milan to join New York Red Bulls.

— Tom Adams (@tomEurosport) May 10, 2012"

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