Fenerbahce want to keep Robin van Persie despite speculation

Sky sources understand Fenerbahce want to keep Robin van Persie despite media speculation linking him with a move away from the club.

Reports in Turkey have claimed the former Manchester United forward is set to be replaced with Fluminense's Brazil international striker Fred.

While Sky Sports understand the Istanbul club want to sign Fred, they are also thought to be keen to retain Van Persie.

They currently have only two strikers in their squad with another Brazilian, Fernandao, the other attacker in Vitor Pereira's pool.

Van Persie has been linked in the British press with a move back Feyenoord, the club he left to join Arsenal in 2004.

He has struggled to make an impact since his move from Old Trafford in the summer and has failed to hold down a regular place in the side.

It has been claimed Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim has also been unimpressed by the Dutch international.

But on Tuesday afternoon, the club released a statement saying: as  "The news [is] aiming to break our player van Persie's motivation.

"We do not plan to sell van Persie and he does not want to leave. He is a precious player of the squad and he will keep serving our team."

Van Persie, contracted until the summer of 2018, has scored just four Super Lig goals and one in the Europa League qualifiers.

He has completed 90 minutes in only two of the 18 games he has played for Fenerbahce since his competitive debut against Shakhtar Donetsk in July.