Arsenal 'reject Van Persie bid'

Arsenal have turned down a 10million euros (Dh46m) offer from Juventus for Dutch striker Robin van Persie, according to reports in Italy. The 28-year-old, who scored 27 goals in all competitions for the Gunners last season, is a target of Juventus, Manchester City and Paris St Germain. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Juve will have to up their bid to acquire Van Persie after their first offer to secure the Holland international was rejected by the English Premier League club. Van Persie has been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium this summer, with his current contract expiring in 12 months' time. Didier Deschamps looks set to replace Laurent Blanc as France coach after confirming he is to leave the Marseille manager's hot seat. The former World Cup skipper spent three years at the Stade Velodrome as manager, guiding them to the French title in his first season. But following the departure of Blanc after France's Euro 2012 showing, Deschamps has been installed as favourite to replace him. "Olympique Marseille and Didier Deschamps have agreed not to continue their collaboration for the 2012/13 season," the club said in a statement. The agent of Manchester City star Mario Balotelli says his player would be worth EU200M (Dh1.2bn) if he came up for sale today. The 21-year-old striker, who is under contract at the Etihad Stadium until 2015, impressed at the tournament with a brace against Germany to put Italy into the Euro 2012 final. Balotelli has been linked with a move away from the Premier League this summer, with both Milan clubs reportedly tracking him. But while his agent Mino Ralola says he does not expect the player to return to Italy yet, he claims his player will be one of the most in-demand in Europe following his performances in Poland and the Ukraine. "I have always said that Mario Balotelli is one player that could become the strongest in the world," Raiola said to Sky Italia. "He is probably amongst the strongest in Europe. "How much is he worth? He is worth what the market says, he is one that can make a difference. "In the actual market I don't think there is a value for him but if I had to give a price I would say he is worth 250million. "I say this to give a figure but you would have to ask the City owner (Sheikh Mansour) how much he is worth." Sunderland have signed former Aston Villa and Rangers defender Carlos Cuellar on a two-year deal. The Spanish defender was released by Villa at the end of last season. Cuellar, 30, will be reunited with Black Cats boss Martin O'Neill, who originally signed him for Villa in 2008. Fulham have agreed a deal to release striker Orlando Sa. The 24-year-old joined the English Premier League side from Porto last season, but failed to establish himself in the first team. The player, who scored just one goal in seven appearances, is now a free agent. Roma, Sevilla, Wigan Athletic and Glasgow Celtic could face a transfer fight to land defender Michael Ciani. The 28-year-old stopper is set to leave Bordeaux after the French side decided to cash in on him with just a year left on his contract. Reports claim the player, who has one cap for the French national side, could go for EU3.1m (Dh14.3m)