MANCHESTER CITY will offer Robin van Persie a £41.6MILLION deal to join them in the summer.
The mega-rich Prem leaders are convinced they will land the Arsenal hitman with a £30m bid.
City are comfortable that Van Persie will not sign a new contract at the Emirates and follow Gunners Samir Nasri, Kolo Toure and Gael Clichy to the Etihad.
Van Persie has just 18 months left on his £80,000-a-week contract but City are planning to offer him a four-year deal worth £200,000 a week.
The Dutch star, 28, will line up against City in Manchester for tomorrow's big match.
And he knows this summer will provide his last chance to make one last big-money move — and he will also realise he has more chance of winning silverware with City.
Van Persie only has one FA Cup winners' medal to show for his seven years at Arsenal.
He is in red-hot form and has 33 Premier League goals so far for Arsenal in 2011.
That puts him only one behind ex-Gunner Thierry Henry and four away from breaking Alan Shearer's record of 36 from 1995.
Wenger's frustration over losing young players
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits it was "painful" to see big-spending Manchester City raid his squad again last summer.
Wenger ultimately let Samir Nasri, 24, and full-back Gael Clichy, 26, go to Eastlands, following in the footsteps of striker Emmanuel Adebayor and centre-half Kolo Toure, who previously left the Emirates for City. After taking a chance on developing these youngsters with the Gunners, Wenger admits there will always be a sense of frustration at potential lost.
"At the end of the day when you sell a player, you cannot complain after because at some stage you say 'yes we let him go' and you have to do the right thing for the club, but it is always painful to lose players at 23 or 24 years old," he said.
"The financial difference between us and teams like Manchester City has become too big to hope to keep the players for eight, nine or 10 years. Okay, we lost Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, other players before, but they had played for eight or nine years at the club.
"It is the first time now that we lose players at an age where they start to produce, like [Cesc] Fabregas and Nasri, who were both 24 years old. That's where you start to become a football player.
"You need to be brave as well to put a player in at 18 years of age, and you need to make room for them, which means you not only need to stand up for the players you put in, but as well you have to kick somebody out."
Meanwhile, ahead of Arsenal's clash with league-leading City, Wenger refused to rule out a move for former captain Henry, who has been training at the club following the end of the Major League Soccer campaign with the New York Red Bulls.
"I do not always master all my thoughts, so [I guess] it has to come through my brain at some stage - but I haven't been concrete on the case," said Wenger.
"I haven't even investigated that. I cannot tell you even if there is a chance because I haven't even made any approach, nor to him nor his club."
Chelsea loss was good for us says City's Lescott
It is hard to believe that Joleon Lescott, now the Iron Man at the heart of Manchester City’s defence, was less than a year ago cast as the Joker in that same role.
His decision to go the club’s fancy-dress Christmas party earlier this week as the armour-clad superhero reflected a new reputation as a man of steely determination at the heart of a team that is taking the Premier League by storm.
Yet, less than 12 months ago, Lescott was out of the side and seemingly on his way out of the club; a victim not just of a loss of form, but of a managerial change that saw Mark Hughes, the man who paid an astronomical sum for him, ousted in a ruthless coup that turned Eastlands upside down.
They were, he admits, desperate times, when he feared for his future.
“I was definitely looking over my shoulder for a while, when Roberto Mancini arrived [to succeed Hughes],” he confesses now, as he looks back on a bleak chapter in his career.
“He brought in [Germany defender] Jerome Boateng the summer after he arrived, and that was a real test for me.
“This time last season I wasn’t in the team, and I couldn’t argue because the team was playing well. There were Kolo Toure and Micah Richards vying for places as well in centre of defence and it didn’t look great for me.
“But I always wanted to be there, and when the manager eventually gave me my opportunity I knew I had to grab it with both hands.
"Although the circumstances weren’t great, because of Kolo’s suspension, thankfully I took my chance.”
He did, with both hands, to the extent that he has become not only a mainstay of a City team that are currently title favourites, but has also forced his way back into the England reckoning, with a fine performance against world champions Spain.
He explains the Iron Man costume simply - “we had to draw a letter and go as a character with that letter, so obviously it was the letter I for me” - but there is something of the indestructible about Lescott.
He survived some initial criticism as Everton to become an international, and earn a £25million move to Eastlands, and also survived Mancini's initial doubts to again become a regular and a valuable member of the side.
Even after their Champions League exit and Monday's controversial defeat at Chelsea, there is an optimism about tCity - and about their commanding centre-half too.
Things are on the up, and not just because Lescott has won his first trophy of the season - by beating Wayne Rooney.
He triumphed in EA Sports’ FIFA 12 Pro Player Challenge, winning a heat at the club (“the rest were rubbish" he says), before progressing through the knock out stages to meet Rooney in a final that could well become the theme of the season - City against United.
The pair went head to head in probably the most intense edition of the popular computer game ever played. A sign of what is to come perhaps?
While Lescott knows there will be a strong challenge from United, he believes it is right that City are favourites for the title.
“We finished in a Champions League place last season, but our main goal now is to win the league. And we are in the driving seat at the minute,” he explains.
“There is a long way to go yet but we are confident that, if we can maintain the consistency we’ve shown so far, we can get there.
“We still expect the other teams to come back strongly but we’ve started well and hopefully we can continue this form. If we can do that then, honestly, we’re going to be hard to peg back.”
The scenes at Stamford Bridge on Monday night suggested the rest of the Premier League title contenders feel the same.
Chelsea won, and their ludicrously OTT celebrations showed just how important they felt victory was.
For Lescott and his team-mates, the defeat stung, but, on reflection, he believes his side still took a psychological edge from the game, and not just because of the first 25 minutes, when they wiped the floor with their opponents.
“If teams like Chelsea are seeing us as a big scalp then it can only be good for us. We took it as a compliment - not as a sign of disrespect,” he explains.
“We saw them go into a huddle [of celebration] on the pitch at the end and we had heard their manager say that if they didn’t win then their title hopes were over. That’s not the case now, but we’re still top of the league and that’s where we intend to stay.
“We could see it meant so much to them, and Chelsea, like the other teams, know if they do finish above us they are going to have a great chance of winning the league. And that is a massive compliment to us.
“They was supposed to have said something [Chelsea's Ashley Cole was accused of taunting beaten City players in the Stamford Bridge tunnel] - I was already in the dressing room, so I didn’t see what was going on in the tunnel, but I wouldn’t be surprised.
"We are not fazed by that [Cole's alleged taunts of 'Thursday night, Channel 5' - a reference to City's Champions League failure and slide into the Europa League]. We’re going into that competition looking to win it and if we do win, then it’s a major accomplishment for the club. But the title is what we are aiming at.”
Holding the Premier League trophy aloft in May would be a major achievement for the club, and for Lescott himself - who has arrived the top the hard way, via years in English football's second tier with Wolves before his love to Everton.
It would be a vindication of the appointment of Mancini and of the work the Italian has done.
Even though he was obviously worried initially because of the departure who signed him, Lescott believes his boss has transformed the club.
He added: “There were always going to be doubters at first when the manager arrived. But has been so professional with us and he has made the club progress.
"We won the FA Cup last year and we’re doing well in the league this season and other competitions so it is a good time.
“He’s very demanding. If he’s not happy with what you are doing in games, he’ll show it in training; he’ll show where you’re going wrong.
"We tend to do a lot of work in training on the tactical side so that when situations do occur in games we can deal with them.
“Even when we’ve won 5-1 he’s not happy with the goal we conceded. He says it’s a gift and that we like to give the other team a present, stuff like that. He has made us progress, and that is what the club needed.”
Joleon Lescott was playing in the FIFA 12 Pro Player Challenge. EA SPORTS' FIFA 12 is out now, go to YouTube.com/easportsfootball to watch football stars from across the country go head to head to find football's greatest FIFA 12 player.
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has revealed he wants to return to Argentina to play for his former club Independiente when he is 29. http://translate.google.co.uk/translate ... md%3Dimvns
Er... it's not Boxing Day yet, lads! City pair Balotelli and Richards square up again
Follow up from yesterdays story ... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... again.html
City chief makes Nasri plea
Manchester City, 10:52, December 17, 2011
Roberto Mancini has called on Samir Nasri to 'play more games at a higher level' for Manchester City ahead of Sunday's Arsenal clash.
The City chief has spoken out on the performances of his £24million summer signing from the Gunners, which he feels have not been as consistent as they could be from a player of his quality.
Nasri recently enjoyed four successive outings for City before being left on the substitutes' bench for Monday evening's 2-1 defeat at Chelsea.
And, ahead of a return to his former club this weekend, Mancini is hoping Nasri can find his top gear after he endured a difficult time at the Emirates Stadium in City's recent Carling Cup win.
Mancini said: "In my opinion Nasri is a champion - a top, top player. I think he can do more but when you change teams you can have a problem. At this moment his confidence is maybe not very good because he didn't play against Chelsea but if he plays Sunday he has a chance to show us."
Mancini also called on Nasri to step up to the plate to help fill the void which will be created when Yaya Toure heads to the African Nations Cup in January.
He added: "I think we will lose an important player but I hope Samir can play more games at a higher level. He is a top player. Every game a player like that should contribute."
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[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
Young happy to have snubbed City
Ashley Young has insisted he has no regrets about snubbing Manchester City in favour of Manchester United.
England winger Young joined United following four years at Aston Villa, but he could have been turning out for the blue half of Manchester after being the subject of interest from City.
City's package is believed to have topped that of United, but Young claims his only thought was to make the move to Old Trafford.
Asked about City's interest, Young, speaking to the Daily Mirror, said: "That's true, but as soon as I heard about Manchester United there was no other club for me.
"It's Manchester United. They are the biggest club in the world, and I think if you ask anyone who they want to play for the majority will say: 'Man United'.
"The fan base, the team and what they have won in the past is [all] amazing.
"I want to be part of that - and be able to bring the title back to United again and make history with a 20th."
Young made a dazzling start to his United career, but his form has dipped in recent weeks. With injuries mounting, Young is likely to play a prominent role in the second half of the season.
He said: "I do believe we can win the title. We are this side of Christmas and have many games to play and points to play for.
"If we keep up the form we have shown from the start of the season, then I am sure we will be able to retain that title.
"There are going to be a lot of games to look forward to and we have to keep ourselves fresh and go into games confident. The manager instils that and we go out there and enjoy it."
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger could make a dramatic loan move for former Arsenal legend Thierry Henry if the Gunners suffer a January striker crisis. Daily Telegraph
Alex Ferguson has been warned it will take a bid of £50m to lure his top midfield target Mario Gotze away from Borussia Dortmund, but the Manchester United manager could make a £15m bid for team-mate Mats Hummels.
Daily Mail
Everton have been told they would have to pay £1.7m if they want to sign Beira Mar's highly rated defender Yohan Tavares. TalkShit
Liverpool have sent scouts to assess the talents of Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone as they look to find a January replacement for long-term injury victim Lucas Leiva. Footy bunker
Newcastle want to sign Crystal Palace's £10m-rated teenage sensation Wilfried Zaha in the January transfer window. Daily Mail
But the Magpies have scrapped a £6m deal to buy Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga. Daily Mirror
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill says he plans to contact Asamoah Gyan next week. The Black Cats loaned the Ghana striker to Al Ain in a deal worth about £6m. the Sun
Seville are interested in Tottenham outcast Giovani dos Santos who, according to the Mexico international's agent, is very unhappy at White Hart Lane. Footy Latest
Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has hinted he could quit Spurs next month if he continues to be left out of the side. The England striker is fed up with sitting on the Spurs bench and fears a lack of games could harm his chances of making Fabio Capello's squad for next summer's Euro 2012 finals. the Sun
Spurs playmaker Rafael van der Vaart believes Harry Redknapp is the right man to become the next England manager but hopes he stays at White Hart Lane. Guardian
Manchester United players are urging midfield legend Paul Scholes to come out of retirement to help ease their injury crisis. Scholes, 37, called time on his illustrious career at the end of last season and has since been coaching youth and reserve team players at the club. the Sun
Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Paul Pogba not to let greed wreck his Manchester United career. The Red Devils are trying to agree a new contract with the 18-year-old Frenchman. Daily Telegraph
The credibility of Fifa's reform program has suffered a fresh blow after a leading supporters group declined an invitation to join Sepp Blatter's committee charged with cleaning up the world governing body. Daily Telegraph
Steve Kean has two games to save his job as Blackburn manager. Daily Mail
Napoli star Marek Hamsik says the Serie A side do not fear Chelsea - and are grateful they avoided Barcelona and Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16. talkSHIT
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce hits out at critics of the Europa League, claiming "it's a fantastic competition". talkSHIT
Martin Jol believes Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale is as good as England number one Joe Hart. Daily Mail
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been embroiled in a Twitter row with former X Factor contestant Frankie Cocozza. Daily Mirror
Everton captain Phil Neville sent LA Galaxy striker Landon Donovan a cheeky message of support on Twitter when he heard the American was coming back to Goodison Park on loan. Metro
Harry Redknapp has banned his Tottenham players from having a Christmas party because they are too busy - and told them to have one in the summer instead. Daily Mirror
