Barcelona plotting sensational £38m move for Robin van Persie

MANCHESTER UNITED star Robin van Persie has become a surprise transfer target for Spanish champs Barcelona.

Robin van Perise has been linked with a move away from Manchester United [GETTY]

New Spanish reports claim the Nou Camp would have to stump up a whopping £38m bid to start negotiations with the Old Trafford side.

Rumours of Van Persie's happiness at the club have been fuelled by recent comments from former Liverpool star Mark Lawrenson, who claimed the striker had told the club he wanted to leave.

Lawro told an Irish radio station: “There are all sorts of rumours coming out of the training ground at the moment.


"One or two of the press boys that I know that cover Manchester United are even saying that the big whisper is Van Persie might have asked for a transfer on Tuesday.”
Van Persie famously made a £22million switch from Arsenal to Manchester United in the summer of 2012 and played a pivotal role in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final title triumph, scoring 26 top-flight goals.

Robin van Persie in action against Newcastle [PA]

“That is absolute nonsense”

David Moyes

Barca manager Gerardo Martino is thought to have pointed out the need to partner Lionel Messi and Neymar with a new striking partner after David Villa was sold to Atletico Madrid last summer.
United manager David Moyes rejected claims the recent claims however claiming the rumours of the forward's unhappiness were ridiculous.
"That is absolute nonsense," said Moyes.
"I don't know what harder or tougher word I could say but that's as good as I've got."