Juventus pull out of race to sign Van Persie

Juventus have pulled out of the race to sign Arsenal striker Robin van Persie, Goal.com has learned.

The Netherlands international, who finished as the Premier League's top scorer with 30 goals this season, is, as exclusively revealed by Goal.com, due to hold crunch contract talks with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis on Wednesday.

Van Persie's current deal expires at the conclusion of the 2012-13 season and the likes of Serie A champions Juve and Manchester City have been linked with a move for the former Feyenoord front man.

The Italian giants had initially looked into the possibility of luring the Arsenal skipper away from Emirates Stadium as Bianconeri boss Antonio Conte lines up a top international striker to lead his attack next season.

Goal.com understands, however, that Conte does in fact favour a move for Napoli forward Edinson Cavani with Juve believing that Van Persie's wage demands are too big an obstacle to overcome.

Juve sporting director Fabio Paratici has expressed his belief that Van Persie will opt to join either Manchester City or United, although Sir Alex Ferguson's side are not considered to be in the running due to the attacking options already amongst their ranks, as well as the financial constraints they operate under the ownership of the Glazer family.

City, who clinched the Premier League title on Sunday, are a more viable option for the Gunners star should he opt to leave north, with the 28-year-old undoubtedly an affordable option for the club and their billionaire Abu Dhabi owners.

It would, however, signal a change in tact for boss Roberto Mancini, who has previously spent big on the likes of Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli and Samir Nasri - all of whom are in their early to mid twenties.

It was a nice idea while it lasted. I really hope he stays with Arsenal. I would like to see Arsenal hold on to some of their great players and not sell them when they reach their prime. Wenger is a great manager that deserves to have a great team, not a team that will send its best players off to other clubs like a youth team.