By ROSS GREGORY
NICKLAS BENDTNER has joined Juventus on a season-long loan — even though the Italians admit the Dane was a last resort.
Juve wanted to sign Dimitar Berbatov from Manchester United but Fulham beat them to it.
The Italians — who originally had their sights on Robin van Persie — then turned to another Arsenal striker but one who spent last season on loan with Sunderland.
Juventus sporting director Giuseppe Marotta admitted they had been forced to settle for Bendtner, 24.
Marotta said: “He is not the high-profile striker we were hoping to sign, but it’s a chance we had to take in a difficult market like this.
“It was an unprofessional way for Berbatov to behave. He did not make a good impression.”
Bendtner admitted he was delighted to have joined the Italian champions and he promised Serie A fans they are yet to see the best of him. He declared: “I can now finally say I am a Juventus player — very proud and can’t wait to wear the stripes.
“I hope we will have great times together. I want to fulfil my potential here and show the fans my absolute best as that is yet to come. I am sure I will.”
Arsenal also finalised a season-long loan deal for out-of-favour South Korean striker Chu-Young Park to join newlypromoted Celta Vigo yesterday.
But, apart from the signing of goalkeeper Dejan Iliev, 17, from Macedonian Third Division side Belasica, there were no new late arrivals at the Emirates by the end of a busy transfer window.
The teenage keeper had been expected to join Italians Chievo instead.
But despite enquiries over a loan deal for Chelsea’s Michael Essien, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger decided to make Iliev his last signing of the summer.
