Mancini: It’s so tough to sign RVP

Posted Monday, July 30, 2012 by The Sun

Mancini: It’s so tough to sign RVP
THREE-WAY FIGHT ... Utd, City and Juventus want Robin van Persie

ROBERTO MANCINI admits he faces an uphill battle to lure top summer target Robin van Persie to Manchester City.

The champions are keen on the Arsenal hitman — but will have competition from bitter rivals Manchester United and Juventus.

The Gunners are also hoping that the Dutch ace will stay at the Emirates for at least the final year of his contract — but accept they will let him go for £20million.

Etihad boss Mancini has now confirmed his interest and City have asked Arsenal to keep them informed of developments.

But the Italian said: “When you talk about Manchester City, Manchester United and Juve, it is difficult for a player to choose between those three clubs.

“They are all top teams and I’ve no idea what will happen with him. If we have a chance to take him, we will try because we think he is a top striker.

“For now he is an Arsenal player and I think Arsenal are a top team. It is not easy for Van Persie and other players to leave them.”

Mancini has stated he wants ‘three of four’ new signings before the end of the transfer window in just over a month. The failure to secure any so far — with the Community Shield less than two weeks away — has put him on collision course with football administrator Brian Marwood.

And the Italian admits his squad at the moment is not strong enough to defend their title AND win the Champions League this term.

He said: “We don’t need 10 players like we did three years ago but we need three or four players who can improve our team.

“If we also go well in the Champions League, there could also be a chance that we can arrive in the quarter, semi-final or final.

“We will try to win it but it is important we have a good squad. I don’t think we can play for the Champions League with this squad. So for this reason we have to buy.”

City have been thwarted by clubs bumping up prices on their transfer targets as they know about the wealth of owner Sheikh Mansour.

And Mancini said: “It’s not easy when City try to buy a player.

“The club we are buying from asks for 30 or 40 per cent more. For this reason it is sometimes difficult to do business. But I think also we need to work better.”

City round off their Asian tour by taking on a Malaysian XI in Kuala Lumpur tonight — but skipper Vincent Kompany has flown home for checks on a calf injury.