Mancini eyes up RVP: City boss to anger Wenger again with £220,000-a-week offer
By Ian Ladyman and Sami Mokbel
Last updated at 10:48 PM on 7th March 2012
Roberto Mancini has admitted he would be interested in signing Robin van Persie from Arsenal this summer.
Sportsmail revealed Manchester City’s interest in the Gunners’ star player last year and it is understood Van Persie remains very much on their Italian manager’s radar.
Asked on the way to Portugal if City would be interested in the striker, Mancini said: ‘We are interested in all good players. This is normal, but not only us. I think all the good teams are interested in Van Persie.
‘I think Van Persie at this moment is one of the best strikers in Europe with (Lionel) Messi, (Cristiano) Ronaldo and with Sergio (Aguero) and Mario (Balotelli). He is a fantastic striker, but I think he will sign a new contract at Arsenal, because if Arsenal also lose Van Persie they will have a big problem.’
Van Persie has only a year left on his contract at Arsenal and has not yet indicated that he will sign a new one.
City are willing to pay the Dutchman up to £220,000 per week over four years — inclusive of add-ons — to join them.
This £46million outlay would be in addition to a massive transfer fee City would have to fork out.
Arsenal would demand in excess of £25m — a huge amount for a player in the final year of his contract.
Last summer, City took advantage of a similar situation with Samir Nasri, angering boss Arsene Wenger in their pursuit of the France midfielder before signing him in August.
By Ian Ladyman and Sami Mokbel
Last updated at 10:48 PM on 7th March 2012
Roberto Mancini has admitted he would be interested in signing Robin van Persie from Arsenal this summer.
Sportsmail revealed Manchester City’s interest in the Gunners’ star player last year and it is understood Van Persie remains very much on their Italian manager’s radar.
Asked on the way to Portugal if City would be interested in the striker, Mancini said: ‘We are interested in all good players. This is normal, but not only us. I think all the good teams are interested in Van Persie.
‘I think Van Persie at this moment is one of the best strikers in Europe with (Lionel) Messi, (Cristiano) Ronaldo and with Sergio (Aguero) and Mario (Balotelli). He is a fantastic striker, but I think he will sign a new contract at Arsenal, because if Arsenal also lose Van Persie they will have a big problem.’
Van Persie has only a year left on his contract at Arsenal and has not yet indicated that he will sign a new one.
City are willing to pay the Dutchman up to £220,000 per week over four years — inclusive of add-ons — to join them.
This £46million outlay would be in addition to a massive transfer fee City would have to fork out.
Arsenal would demand in excess of £25m — a huge amount for a player in the final year of his contract.
Last summer, City took advantage of a similar situation with Samir Nasri, angering boss Arsene Wenger in their pursuit of the France midfielder before signing him in August.
