Reds close in on striker – but not van Persie

Manchester United were last night reportedly on the brink of landing 18-year-old Chilean striker Angelo Henriquez.

As specualtion continued that Sir Alex Ferguson was stepping up his attempt to secure Robin van Persie from Arsenal, Henriquez was believed to have undergone a medical in Manchester.

Reports in Chile suggest he will immediately be loaned back to his current club Universidad de Chile.

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Henriquez is currently regarded as one of his country’s brightest prospects.

He impressed at the recent Milk Cup tournament in Northern Ireland, when Chile finished third in the six-team elite competition.

As for van Persie, Arsenal’s £20m asking price has yet to be met by any club, it was reported last night.

Van Persie announced six weeks ago that he was determined to leave the Gunners, but despite strong interest from Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus, the 29-year-old remains an Arsenal player.

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Arsenal rejected a bid from Manchester United for the striker three weeks ago and although the London club appear to have reduced their asking price to £20m, van Persie still has not secured the move to Old Trafford that he is understood to want.

While confusion surrounds the striker’s future, what is clear is that his suitors value him highly.

Old Trafford appears to be van Persie’s preferred destination, but Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany would love to see the Dutchman, who scored 37 goals last season, move to the Etihad Stadium. “It’s very easy to say you want to play next to Robin van Persie,” Kompany said. “He’s a great player.

“He’s proved it so many times last season and any team he would play for he’d make it stronger.”

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Van Persie made his only pre-season appearance for Arsenal on Sunday against Cologne.

The Dutchman, whose contract expires at the end of the 2012-13 season, was booed by a section of the travelling support when he came off the bench, but Arsenal centre-back Thomas Vermaelen is still hopeful his captain will stay.

“To me he looks fit and sharp in training,” Vermaelen said.

“He’s working hard. He’s working on his fitness. I don’t see anything (different) and I hope he stays the next four years as well.

“I don’t know what happens behind the scenes but at the moment I can only say he’s a player for Arsenal..”

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Darren Fletcher made his comeback last night as Manchester United lost 2-1 at Aberdeen in a benefit match for Dons legend Neil Simpson. Fletcher is on the road to recovery from a chronic inflammatory bowel condition.