adminThe English Premiership champions would appear to be in the driving seat to land the Arsenal striker but Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has still not given up hope of signing the 29-year-old in a cut-price deal.
The two Manchester clubs were only separated by goal difference at the end of last season and Ferguson is determined to get one over his rivals in the transfer market.
The bidding war will be kicked off by Tevez’s exit, with a source close to City revealing on Saturday: “They are selling Tevez to Milan.
“You’ll see it in the next few days.
“If, for any reason, that deal hits a complication, City may sell Edin Dzeko to Milan instead. But, for the moment, all efforts are focused on selling Tevez. That will open up the Van Persie deal.”
Argentina’s Tevez had his heart set on joining Milan last season at the height of his ugly stand-off with City.
Since then, he and Roberto Mancini have made up and as a thank-you for helping City win the title, the manager will allow Tevez his dream move to Italy. Arsenal are still hoping to persuade Van Persie to stay and have scheduled further talks for this week when he returns for pre-season training.
They will want at least £30m if they decide to sell the striker, who has only one year left on his contract. Van Persie has set off a high-level row at Arsenal, with boss Arsene Wenger insisting on getting maximum value whereas other senior figures would accept less after the striker accused the club of lacking ambition.
This would play into Ferguson’s hands as the United board are unlikely to sanction a £30m deal for a 29-year-old. Sources close to Van Persie have indicated that, if he does move, Old Trafford might be his preference.
But Manchester City will have to make a big bid for Van Persie this week or the striker will go on Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia and potentially play against them.
Juventus could also prevent Van Persie’s participation in the tour, but it is City who are preparing to make a move with Emmanuel Adebayor closing in on a permanent switch to Tottenham.
Van Persie is due to start training with the Gunners today, having released a statement confirming he will not be extending his contract that expires in 12 months.
Arsenal are scheduled to travel to Malaysia next Saturday and club sources have stressed that, as things stand, Van Persie should be on the flight and could play against City in Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium on July 27.
Samir Nasri was put in a similar position last year. He was part of Arsenal’s tour and even played in the first game against Liverpool before joining City on August 24.
Arsenal boss Wenger is desperate to sort out Van Persie’s situation as quickly as possible, but expects the striker to prepare for next season as normal. Wenger has told associates that he has by no means given up on keeping Van Persie for at least another season and the pair will hold more talks.
Arsenal’s first game on tour is against a Malaysia XI on July 24, before they face City three days later and Kitchee FC on July 29.
The only way Van Persie will be left at home is if he suffers an injury in training this week or if City or Juventus make a bid that prompts negotiations over a transfer.
Arsenal want at least £20million for 28-year-old Van Persie, with City’s opening bid at around £15m. City are set to receive £5m from Tottenham for Adebayor which will free up the Togo international’s £170 000-a-week salary.
Their coffers could be swollen even further with AC Milan ready to make a renewed move for Tevez. Theo Walcott, also yet to sign a new
Arsenal contract, is due to go on the Asia tour.
But unwanted trio Nicklas Bendtner, Andrey Arshavin and Sebastien Squillaci may be left at home, as the Gunners try to strike agreements to sell them.
Arsenal are the latest club to show an interest in Brazilian attacking midfielder Ganso.
Wenger feels a deal for Rennes’ Yann M’Vila is still possible and Barcelona’s Ibrahim Afellay has been discussed. — Mailonline-Sunday Mirror.
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