World Football Gossip Roundup: Van Persie, Hodgson and Ferdinand, Del Piero
In today's B/R World Football Gossip Roundup, we're asking you to play a game with us.
The rules are simple. First, Think outside the box about a potential destination for legendary Italian striker Alessandro Del Piero. Then, see if it matches up with the news we have to share.
At the end of the slideshow, we'll reveal the club. Few will guess correctly, but everyone will win anyway. That's just how we roll here at Set Piece.
In the meantime, we have updates on Robin van Persie (yet again), Gylfi Sigurdsson, Luka Modric, Leighton Baines and the Roy Hodgson-Rio Ferdinand controversy.
All the details are inside.
RvP Latest
1 of 8We have two bits of Robin van Persie news to relay today.
First, Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has told Arsenal.com that he and Van Persie "had a good discussion" at the end of the season.
"What we agreed at that meeting was that we would keep all the discussions we had over the summer to ourselves and make announcements when it is the right time," Gazidis added.
Second, Arsenal teammate Andre Santos is quoted by ESPN Brazil (cited by The Guardian) as saying, "Sometimes, a player is interested in getting to know other teams, and, of course, playing well, he has attracted interest from many other teams."
Santos added: "(Van Persie) is currently fully focused on the Euros and then, after, he can talk about whether he wants to stay with Arsenal."
Roy vs. Rio
2 of 8The Roy Hodgson-Rio Ferdinand controversy rages on, and the English footballing world is taking sides.
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has sided with Hodgson, calling the backlash to Hodgson's decision to leave out Ferdinand a second time a "smear campaign" (per ESPN Soccernet).
According to The Guardian, however, former Liverpool great Robbie Fowler and current Tottenham star Rafael van der Vaart are backing Ferdinand.
So is Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, according to Metro. Same for Paul Ince, according to the Daily Mail.
Finally, anti-racism group Kick It Out is reportedly considering a "robust condemnation" for Hodgson's actions (per The Guardian).
Sigurdsson U-Turn?
3 of 8Last week, Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson appeared set for a permanent move to Swansea after impressing with the Swans on loan during the second half of the 2011-12 season.
Then, however, manager Brendan Rodgers left for Liverpool. Now, Sigurdsson is seemingly unsure about his future.
From ESPN Soccernet: "I expect not to stay at Swansea because of the uncertainty going on there as it is not clear who is boss. I have said that my desire to continue playing in the Premier League and Liverpool is completely considered."
Modric, Baines Next for United?
4 of 8With a deal for Japanese midfielder Shinji Kagawa confirmed, Manchester United are reportedly turning their attention to Everton full-back Leighton Baines and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Luka Modric (per the Daily Mirror).
Baines, 27, has won eight caps for England. He was selected for Roy Hodgson's Euro 2012 squad. According to the Daily Mail, he is also wanted by Italian club Napoli.
Modric (pictured), 26, has appeared 54 times for Croatia, scoring eight times. He and United have long been linked in the gossip pages.
Vertonghen Deal This Week?
5 of 8Jan Vertonghen's anticipated move from Ajax to Tottenham Hotspur could happen this week, according to his agent.
The agent spoke to Dutch publication Voetbal International and was cited by Goal.com.
Vertonghen is a 25-year-old central defender with 37 caps (two goals) for Belgium. Arsenal were also thought to be interested.
Silva Wants to Stay?
6 of 8David Silva is not interested in playing for Real Madrid. So says one of David Silva's representatives.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Silva's representative said: "I don't know what could happen in the future, but Silva wants to stay there [Manchester City]."
Silva emerged as a Real Madrid transfer target last month, according to the Daily Mail.
Müller and Inter?
7 of 8Thomas Müller to Inter Milan? It might not be as crazy as you think.
After losing his guaranteed first-team spot this season, Müller now finds himself linked with the Nerazzurri. According to German publication Sport Bild (cited by Goal.com), Müller would not dismiss the possibility of a move entirely.
"I'm the type of player who will deal with this like a professional and will try to help the team," said Müller. "However, I will not happily accept being benched in big games regularly. I'm too ambitious for that."
According to Goal.com, Müller's contract with Bayern runs until summer 2015.
Where To, Del Piero?
8 of 8Finally, we end today's gossip roundup with what truly would be an unexpected sight.
Alessandro Del Piero at River Plate? At least one influential agent wants it to happen. (Not that it will, mind.)
According to Tuttosport (cited by Goal.com), Argentine agent Nestor Sivori is pleading with Del Piero to join the legendary Buenos Aires-based club.
"In Argentina as well, we are very sensitive to talent, because talent is ageless," he said.
Del Piero, 37, ended his 19-year Juventus career at the conclusion of the most recent club season.
