Robin van Persie spotted taking in the sights in Rome as Manchester United striker contemplates Old Trafford future

Robin van Persie was seen out and about on the streets of Rome as he contemplates his Manchester United future.

With just one year left on his Old Trafford contract there is continued speculation that the Dutchman was in Italy to discuss a move to the Serie A, with Roma rumoured to be interested in the striker.

The 31-year-old and his wife Bouchra spent Sunday afternoon taking advantage of Rome's designer shopping outlets and acknowledging fans, which included some rather scantily clad shop goers.  

The former Arsenal front man was linked with a summer switch to Lazio, however the club's sporting director, Igli Tare, has explained otherwise.

'I can only say that I respect Van Persie as a striker, but unfortunately he is outside of our parameters,' Tare said to Lazio Style Radio. 'There was never any meeting.' 

Van Persie admitted last week that he finds himself in a difficult situation given that he is settled in Cheshire with his family, although more regular first team football would certainly benefit him considering the European Championships are set to take place in France next year.

'I must evaluate the situation,' said the Holland captain. 'The club (Manchester United) is doing that as well. I must consider what I really want. If worse comes to the worst and I won't be playing much next season I wouldn't be in an ideal situation with Euro 2016 coming up.'

Holland currently lie third in Group A of European Championship qualifying, and face fifth placed Latvia in Riga on Friday Evening.

The 23-year-old faces punishment after leading Arsenal supporters in a series of explicit songs directed at the club's bitter north London rivals

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is surprised by his FA charge for swearing and says his anti-Tottenhamjibes were "a bit of fun".

Wilshere is considering contesting the misconduct charge, which came after he sang offensive songs during the Gunners' FA Cup victory parade in London.

The 23-year-old was told of the charge by a member of the FA's media department when he joined up with the England squad ahead of Sunday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia.

Wilshere, at Arsenal since 2001, insists he has learned his lesson - but feels the threat of FA disciplinary action is too harsh.

"That’s one way [lesson learned] of looking at it. But, at the same time, people have been giving me a lot of stick for having some fun and enjoying myself at the end of [the season]," he told reporters.

"We've worked hard all year as a group of players and we've won a trophy. That's the best feeling in the world. No matter what job you do, if at the end of the year you get a promotion and a bonus, you're going to go out and celebrate. From that side of things it was a bit harsh.

"I've always had that bond with the Arsenal fans since I was young because I came through the club. I grew up at Arsenal and I love the fans. I am quite proud of that.

"But, believe it or not, I've actually got family who are Tottenham fans so it's nothing personal against them. It was just a bit of fun."

The striker has offered a low key response to talk of playing for the club again, while claiming he could have scored 25 goals last season had he been fit from the start

Juventus forward Alvaro Morata says a return to Real Madrid would "depend on many people", following reports the club could bring him back to the Bernabeu.

The 22-year-old only moved to Turin last year where he has since won the Scudetto and Coppa Italia and scored in the Champions League final before his side went on to lose 3-1 to Barcelona.

Morata denied there had been talks to move back to Madrid following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti and subsequent appointment of Rafa Benitez, but didn't close the door completely on playing for the club again.

"Nobody has spoken to me about going back," the Spain international told Cadena Ser. "It is something that would have to depend on many people.

"That said, I have to think about how my year went here [at Juventus]. And I am very happy to be playing here."

The Madrid cantera graduate moved to the Serie A champions to increase his chances of playing time and enjoyed a season of continuity in which he managed to score 15 goals in 46 games across all competitions.

Nevertheless, Morata expressed his regret at not being able to do more in helping Juventus secure the treble but said their European disappointment on Saturday would serve as motivation next term.

"The year could have been better if we had won the Champions League," he continued. "I could have easily scored 20 to 25 goals had I been better prepared in the first half of the season.

"I could have done much better. These have been a couple of hard days in which we lost the Champions League final, though I feel the team gained plenty from the journey. 

"Sometimes it's not always pretty but we've learnt and seen that we're not made of glass. We'll emerge out the other side soon."

Juventus have already been busy reinforcing their squad to challenge on all fronts again next term, having completed the €40 million signing of Paulo Dybala from Palermo.

A great second half display ensured Edwin Okon ladies began their 2015 Women's World Cup campaign on an impressive note after forcing the Europeans to a draw on Monday night

Juventus' Gianluigi Buffon is more deserving of the Ballon d'Or than Lionel Messi, according to Johan Cruyff.

Cruyff, himself a three-time winner of the prize, believes the Italian has had a more consistent year, despite losing to Messi's Barcelona in the Champions League final.

"Messi is playing very well, but what counts when it comes to winning the Ballon d'Or is the whole year and Buffon is definitely a possibility for the prize in 2015," the 68-year-old shared to Tuttosport.

"He's been a great goalkeeper for years now. But Juventus have so many great players. I'm also thinking of Pirlo, [Arturo] Vidal, [Paul] Pogba and [Alvaro] Morata. I especially appreciate the organisation the club boasts.

"Replacing Pirlo will be hard, because his game is so unique. They'll need to find someone entirely similar. [Toni] Kroos has excelled in that position, but he belongs to Real Madrid.

"If they can't find a direct replacement, they'll have to evolve their style. The important thing is not to look back."

Still, Cruyff believes the Bianconeri have the strength in depth to start over once their iconic midfielder leaves and fully expects them to replicate their European feats of last season sooner rather than later.

"Juventus played as they should have [in Saturday's 3-1 final defeat to Barcelona] with personality and organisation, and managed a goal, though Barcelona are also very strong and showed it again.

"They [Juventus] will have more chances to win it again. They got to the final this year, after several years of playing good football. It's something that is positive for all of Italian football."

A great second half display ensured Edwin Okon ladies began their 2015 Women's World Cup campaign on an impressive note after forcing the Europeans to a draw on Monday night

A commanding second half display by Nigeria Women saw them hold Sweden to a 3-3 draw in their opening game at the Winnipeg Stadium, Winnipeg.

Goals from Asisat Oshoala, Ngozi Okobi and Francisca Ordega were all Edwin Okon’s ladies needed to fight back having gone down by two goals in the first half.

The Falcons, who have never defeated the Europeans, came into the game full of hope but were soon down in the 21st minute after Desire Oparanozie put the ball into her own net when Emma Berglund’s header ricocheted off her and into the net following a corner kick that left the Nigerians jittery.

Few minutes later, Nilla Fischer tapped into an open net from another corner kick owing to poor clearance by the African champions’ back line as veteran goalkeeper Precious Dede fluffed her clearance.

It was clear that the higher-ranked Swedes had perfected their game plan to employ corner kicks in rattling the Nigerians who had not lost in 10 matches coming into the encounter.

While youngster Oshoala saw an attempt go just wide of goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl's goal and Oparanozie could not deliver a pin point cross into the box, the Nigerians went into half time facing an uphill task and a battle to regain their pre-match confidence. 

Whatever coach Edwin Okon told his team at half time, it surely worked as the Falcons came back strongly into the game.

On resumption of the second half, Nigeria got two quick goals to draw level. First it was Okobi’s cool finish in the 50th minute that geared her team back to life. She received an Oparanozie pass from the right and shot under Lindahl to give some momentum to the Nigerians.

Three minutes later before the Swedes knew what hit them, Oshoala leveled up with a fine individual effort after a well-played long ball from Onome Ebi. The Liverpool ladies striker raced past experienced defender Fischer and Lindahl to get the Africans back into the game.

Just as the Nigerians were still celebratng and had taken their eyes off the ball, Linda Sembrant handed the lead back to Sweden after good build-up play on the left side resulted in Lina Nilsson’s cross that the substitute managed to direct past Dede with her thigh in the 60th minute.

      

However it was the Nigerians that would laugh last as Ordega salvaged a point for the Super Falcons three minutes from time with a shot that slipped through the legs of Lindahl, leaving matters level at 3-3.

Ngozi Okobi was named player of the match and Nigeria would next face Australia while Sweden would meet tournament favourites USA.

After months of speculation, the Brazilian defender has finally put pen-to-paper on a two-year extension, along with the option for one more

Barcelona announced that Dani Alves signed a new contract with the club on Tuesday.

The 32-year-old looked set to leave the club after talks stalled over a deal, with his agent revealing AC Milan and several clubs were interested in his services.

However, both parties have now come to an agreement, meaning he will remain at the club until at least the summer of 2017.

"FC Barcelona announce that Dani Alves has accepted the club's proposal for the renewal of his contract," a statement on the Blaugrana's official website read.

"The new agreement linking the two parties will run for two more seasons until 30 June 2017, plus an optional third season."

Alves played a key role in Luis Enrique's side securing a magnificent treble of the Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League titles last term.

The Brazilian was a €35 million signing from Sevilla in 2008 and has won five league titles and the Champions League three times at Camp Nou.