Arsenal want Sivert Mannsverk but the Norwegian midfielder now wants to sign for Feyenoord and work under Robin van Persie.
French outlet Jeunes Footeux claim Arsenal and Manchester United are both interested in signing Molde talent Mannsverk.
The 20-year-old is allegedly available for around £9million, with Arsenal and United seemingly weighing up bargain moves.
However, an immediate jump to the Premier League may not be in Mannsverk’s plans.
1908.nl report that Mannsverk actually wants to sign for Feyenoord with the Dutch outfit keen to land another midfielder.
Fredrik Aursnes excelled after leaving Molde for Feyenoord, earning a big move to Benfica after just one year in Rotterdam.
Mannsverk now wants to follow in the footsteps of Aursnes by leaving Molde for Feyenoord, preferring them over ‘various European top clubs’.
Sivert Mannsverk could now join former Arsenal man Robin van Persie
Mannsverk, 20, seemingly realises that regular playing time with a club like Feyenoord is more important at this stage in his development than jumping straight to a huge club like Arsenal.
A move to Rotterdam would see Mannsverk join forces with former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie.
Van Persie currently works as an assistant coach in Arne Slot’s Feyenoord coaching staff, focusing mostly on strikers but offering technical training across the squad.
The 39-year-old turned his hand to coaching his boyhood club in 2020 having finished his career with Feyenoord.
Van Persie was outstanding for Arsenal, smashing 96 goals in 194 Premier League games for the Gunners before a controversial 2012 move to Manchester United.
That soured the relationship for many and Van Persie may now be in line to benefit from Mannsverk preferring Rotterdam to North London.
Arsenal would surely keep tabs on Mannsverk moving forward but as far as a January deal goes, a move to the Emirates Stadium now looks unlikely.
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