Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner — who is currently on loan at Juventus — is reportedly a summer transfer target of Russian Premier League duo Anzhi Makhachkala and Zenit St Petersburg, according to his agent Tom Brooks.
Bendtner, 25, has failed to make an impact at the Juventus Stadium this season, having started just three matches in another injury-ridden campaign.
The Denmark international is now said to be attracting interest from Russian moneybags Anzhi Makhachkala and Zenit St Petersburg.
Bundesliga duo Hamburger SV and VfB Stuttgart 1893 e.V. are also rumoured to be interested in the 25-year-old.
“We’ve had contact several times with Russian teams,” Brooks told Russian newspaper Izvestia.
“A large number of talented players have gone to Russia in recent years. If a solid proposal arrives, we will consider it.”
In all likelihood, Bendtner will be sold by Arsenal in the summer, with Arsene Wenger looking to bring in a number of new faces to strengthen the squad.
“Every position is up for grabs, you have to face it like that. The job of top-level competitors is to deal with that,” said Wenger following the Gunners’ exit from the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
Bendtner has made 10 appearances without a goal for Serie A leaders Juventus this season.
Moreover, the 25-year-old has scored five times for Denmark in 2012-13, including two goals in three appearances at Euro 2012.
Rodgers rules out loan deals
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has ruled out the possibility of him sending young wingers Raheem Sterling and Suso out on loan, Sky Sports understands.
Sterling and Suso have broken into the Reds’ first-team this season, primarily due to the club’s shortage of attacking options.
The arrivals of Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho have relegated the young duo to the under-21 side of late, but Rodgers is still not willing to let either Sterling or Suso leave Anfield on a short-term deal, and rightfully so.
Liverpool are undoubtedly going to need a bigger squad, including Sterling, Suso and other youngsters, if they wish to compete in all competitions next season.
“It’s very simple, neither of them are available for loan,” said Rodgers.
“I’m not sure where the stories have come from, to be honest. They’re both young players that have played a lot this year – they have been very much a part of the group.
“Raheem has been outstanding this year, he’s only young and we need to nurture and protect him.
“We’ve got a very small squad and those two boys are an integral part of the group. That won’t happen.”
Sterling — who was voted Best Young Player in England by Premier League managers earlier this week — has bagged two goals and two assists in 35 competitive senior appearances for Liverpool this season.
Subsequently, the 18-year-old winger earned his first call-up to the England senior team, making his international debut against Sweden on 14 November.
On that day, Zlatan Ibrahimović stole the show, scoring four goals including a show-stopping overhead kick from over 30 metres.
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