Van Persie Talks - Walcott Finished

Arsenal may not have been able to score on Saturday against Chelsea, but if they were to have hit the back of the net, the source of the goal would have most likely been from a certain Robin van Persie, whose 27 League goals this season places him at the top of the Premier League goalscorers list.

It is that incredible tally of vitally important goals and inspirational form this season which piles added pressure on Arsenal to keep their captain at the club this summer, amidst speculation of several interested clubs, readying huge offers to persuade the Dutchman away from London.

With 12 months left on his Arsenal contract, van Persie is yet to agree an extension on his deal, leaving his future in a fragile position. The last thing Arsene Wenger wants is his best and most important player leaving for a second summer in a row.

Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas left the club last summer, and Wenger will do his utmost to avoid a repetition of such events this time around, saying that the Arsenal strikers' future will be dealt with before the start of the Euro 2012 competition: "Robin’s future will be sorted at the end of the season. Before the Euros."

On the other hand, Arsenal's second highest scorer this season Theo Walcott, is quite certain of his immediate future. He will miss the remainder of the club season with a "serious" hamstring injury and will be out for a minimum of 21 days, meaning he is unlikely to play again for Arsenal, whose season ends at West Brom on the 13th May. Wenger said:

"It looks like a serious hamstring. I think now for him it will be tough to come back before the end of the season."It is usually 21 days [minimum]. He should be OK to play for England."

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Barcelona talks with Sanchez continue

Gino Pozzo, the son of Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo, has confirmed that talks are ongoing with Barcelona regarding the sale of Alexis Sanchez.

It emerged earlier that Manchester City have apparently pulled out of the race to sign the Chile forward.

City boss Roberto Mancini implied that Sanchez was not worth more than the £30m bid City are reported to have submitted and that is why he has pulled out of the race.

But Udinese say that the 22-year-old was only interested in joining Barcelona and talks are still taking place with a view to the winger joining the European champions.

Pozzo told gazzetta.it: "Negotiations continue with Barcelona. We are waiting for the evolution, even if it's quite a complex deal.

"We continue to work only on (one) table because with Manchester City we never opened the deal; the guy just wants Barcelona."

There is still the possibility that Sanchez will stay at Udinese and Pozzo has not ruled that out.

"The option that Sanchez remains in Udinese is always valid and if the boy decides to stay we would be very happy," he said.

Reports have suggested that Barcelona are attempting to agree a deal for Sanchez which would involve Jeffren joining Udinese.

The Spain Under 21 international is understood to be unhappy at the prospect, but Pozzo said: "It's not true that he refused to come to Udinese, we have not yet talked to him."

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Aston Villa Open Contract Talks With Stewart Downing

Good news for all Aston Villa fans as the club have opened new contract talks with midfielder Stewart Downing.

The 26 year old England winger is being linked with move to Premier League rivals Liverpool and Sunderland.

However, Villa No2 Gary McAllister said: “Stewart has got two years left and we are getting into that area where it’s coming into our vision.

“It’s in progress at the moment. We are starting to make contact with his agent.

“We have to keep good players here.”

McAllister also went on to say that he would vote for Downing as Villa’s player of the year and believes he is capable of becoming an England regular.

The former Middlesbrough player impressed during the friendly international against Ghana at Wembley in March.

McAllister said: “It’s been a very mixed season but Stewart has been very consistent – especially for a forward player in a team that hasn’t been playing as well as it can.

“He would be my pick as our player of the year. I think him having been injury-free is massive. I don’t think he has missed a day’s training.

“He came here on crutches (signed when had a broken foot). I think he will gain a lot of confidence from this year.

“Getting another pre-season under his belt, he will benefit from that. There’s more to come from him.

“Another wee target for Stewart is that he has always been in and around that England squad.

“The question is can he go and become a part of the team? I feel he has enough in his locker to do that.”

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Inter Milan In Talks With Manchester City Star Carlos Tevez

Transfer news are out and it has been revealed that European and Italian champions Inter Milan are in talks with Manchester City skipper Carlos Tevez.

TMW has reported that the Argentine international striker was in Milan this week.

Tevez was seen in Milan for an aperitif and then dinner with “a beautiful girl.”

His schedule also included a secret meeting with some Inter directors.

The former Manchester United ace is being linked with Inter as a replacement for Diego Milito.

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Everton To Open Contract Talks With Marouane Fellaini

Good news for all Everton fans as the club have opened new contract talks with Marouane Fellaini.

The Daily Mail has reported that Fellaini, who is recovering from ankle surgery and will not play again this season, only has two years left on the deal he signed when he joined Everton in August 2008.

It is said that David Moyes is keen to keep hold of his best players amid growing interest and has made convincing Fellaini his future is on Merseyside a priority.

Moyes, who smashed Everton’s transfer record to sign Fellaini from Standard Liege, said: “We want to keep building and Marouane comes into that category.

“When teams wanted Phil Jagielka and Mikel Arteta we made sure we kept them. That’s what happens when you have good players – teams will come looking for them. There’s no doubt Marouane is a good player. The chairman “as done a really good job keeping hold of players, so we’ll see how we go with Marouane.”

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Inter Milan Open Contract Talks With Lucio

Brazilian international defender Lucio is in new contract talks with Inter Milan.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter chief Marco Branca has been in talks for some time over a new deal.

It would tie the former Brazilian international to the club until 2013 with an option for the 2013-14 campaign too.

That would be a significant bond, considering Lucio is already 32 years old.

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Barcelona To Once Again Open Talks With Arsenal For Cesc Fabregas

The never ending saga of Cesc Fabregas continues and this time Barcelona plan to use the international break to open talks with Arsenal about a summer deal for the midfielder.

Reports have surfaced recently that the Arsenal’s board have decided to cash in on Cesc to the tune of £45 million.

According to Sport, Barcelona are encouraged by the latest valuation, having had an offer of £30 million plus £2.5 million in bonuses turned down last summer.

The Gunners haven’t been in recent contact with Barca about reopening negotiations, but the Spanish Liga leaders are convinced they can talk down their asking price.

Cesc is frustrated by Arsenal’s latest trophy flop, though he has not spoken to manager Arsene Wenger about his future. For the moment, the Gunners captain is focusing on recovering from a hamstring injury.

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Barcelona to continue contract talks with Abidal

Barcelona insist they will not seek a replacement for Eric Abidal and plan to proceed with contract negotiations despite the news of his liver tumour.

The 31-year-old France international was found to have a tumour in his liver on Tuesday and now faces surgery on Friday

Barca have vowed to continue contract negotiations with Abidal's agent and vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu says there will be no emergency signing.

"We have decided not to sign anyone to replace Eric Abidal. (Andreu) Fontas will step up to join the first team," he told radio station RAC 1.

"From tomorrow (Friday) we will try for a contract extension for Eric with his agent."

Abidal has 18 months remaining on his current deal.

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