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Most wanted: City lead Real, Barca, United, Juve AND Anzhi in race for Van Persie
Champions are poised with a £20m bid for the Arsenal striker who only has one year left on his contract
Manchester City are firmly at the front of the queue to land Robin van Persie if Arsenal are forced to sell their star striker.
But City's greatest competition could come from Real Madrid or Barcelona if either Spanish club decide to enter the bidding.
City are poised with an opening bid of £20million for Van Persie, who has just a year left on his Arsenal contract, with Manchester United, Juventus and Anzhi Makhachkala also expressing an interest.
Having already lost Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri to City in recent years, Arsenal are desperate to do all they can to stop Van Persie following his former team-mates to the Etihad Stadium.
There is a suspicion, however, that United will refuse to be drawn into a bidding war with their rich rivals and Juventus have been scared by some of the figures involved for a 28-year-old.
Anzhi are prepared to offer Van Persie a staggering £300,000-a-week deal, but the Dutchman has no wish to finish his career in Russia and is motivated by top-class trophies rather than money.
Spain could provide a solution to all parties as Van Persie is understood to be keen on the prospect of Madrid or Barca and Arsenal would rather sell their captain abroad if they have to let him go.
Madrid have shown an interest in Van Persie, but are yet to make a move while Barca have given little indication they will enter the bidding.
It seems City are currently right to feel confident their Arsenal old boys team will get a new star player.
Kompany: No chance of City exit
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has pledged his long-term future to the club and outlined his desire to help Roberto Mancini's side win the Champions League.
Kompany, 26, was instrumental in City's maiden Premier League title triumph, with his imperious displays at the heart of their defence earning him widespread acclaim.
The Belgium international, who replaced Carols Tevez as skipper last year, is thought to have atracted the attention of a number of Europe's top clubs - but he insists there is no chance of him leaving Eastlands any time soon.
"I'm happy in Manchester. Lots of people want me to talk about moving but what interests me is Manchester City," he told The People. "The project here is not just a sporting one. It will bring a lot to the city and to the people.
"We can't stop with the title. We want to win the Champions League. Is it possible in three to four years? Maybe not, but when I see what's been achieved at the club in the last few years, nothing is impossible."
And after helping City end their 44-year wait for a league title, Kompany is now hopeful that he could be part of a dynasty with the club.
"We're going to build a new training centre to bring together the junior and senior players," Kompany said. "The project is to take the club back to its former glories but people won't see this for perhaps another 10 years. I'm happy to be part of all that.
"It's not a three-year project but rather one for 10, 15, 20 years. It's exciting to think I can be part of taking the club where it wants to go."
Mamma mia! Mario Balotelli puts Manchester on the map as Italian tourists flock to the city
Italian tourists arriving in Britain are being handed phrase books so they can understand local sayings.
The book is the brainchild of an airline boss and comes after a surge in the number of Italians visiting the country – and Manchester in particular.
It follows the success of Italian football manager Roberto Mancini and striker Mario Balotelli in leading Manchester City to their first top-flight league title in 44 years.
The success of Italians Mario Balotelli, left, and Roberto Mancini, right, has attracted tourists to Manchester
Those visiting Birmingham are also well catered for – ‘Turrah a bit’ is ‘Alla prossima’ and ‘Yam alright cock’ is ‘Sto bene, bello’.
The phrase book is being given out on Monarch Airlines flights from Italy. Managing director Kevin George said: ‘We thought it would be helpful for people coming to England to be aware of local phrases they may hear.
‘City winning the league with Mancini and Balotelli has really put Manchester on the map for many Italians.’ Mail
Sess in the City: Mancini lines up move for Sunderland schemer
Champions may face competition form Arsenal and Totenham for the Benin international who can play in several positons
Champions Manchester City lead the chase to prise Sunderland star Stephane Sessegnon away from the Stadium of Light.
City’s interest in the Benin international stretches back to his days with Paris St Germain and Sessegnon impressed Roberto Mancini again with two outstanding displays against his side in 2012.
But City know they will face competition from Arsenal with Arsene Wenger’s scouts having tracked Sessegnon throughout last season. Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is also keen on the inventive, pacy forward, who operates either on the left side of midfield or as a support striker.
Rumours that Sessegnon was homesick for France also alerted former club PSG and Marseille.
Black Cats boss Martin O’Neill, who will undertake a massive clear-out during the close season, has designated Sessegnon, 28 on Friday, as one of the players he wants to build his team around.
And after being voted Sunderland’s star of the season, Sessegnon insisted that he wanted to stay in the North East. But City have the financial clout to lure him away from Wearside and they will be happy to at least double the £6m previous Sunderland boss Steve Bruce paid for him in January 2011.
And Mancini could have an ace up his sleeve in England winger Adam Johnson.
O’Neill is an admirer of the Wearsider and is keen to add at least one more quality wide man to operate with emerging Irish talent James McClean and Swedish star Seb Larsson to give him an option to play 4-3-3 next term. The Irishman took the Sunderland job knowing that Ellis Short has curbed the club’s spending and is aware he needs to reduce the wage bill and sell some players to fund his team strengthening plans.
It would break O’Neill’s heart to lose Sessegnon, but a big offer could well prove impossible to refuse for a player who played a key role in Sunderland taking four points off City last season.
The first major piece of business at the Stadium of Light this summer looks like being the arrival of Wolves striker Steven Fletcher. Talks are underway aimed at sealing a deal just below the £10million fee relegated Wolves slapped on Fletcher’s head.
[spoiler]Tatiana Golovin
[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
Swansea are looking to break their transfer record by signing on-loan Hoffenheim striker Gylfi Sigurdsson, 22, for £7m. the Sun on Sunday
The loan switch of Fabio da Silva, 21, to Benfica has hit a snag — with QPR keen to step in to land the Manchester United defender. the Sun on Sunday
Chelsea are set to sign Netherlands international defender Gregory van der Wiel, 24, from Ajax Amsterdam for £8m. Sunday Times
Arsenal, Tottenham and QPR are all on red alert after Alessandro Del Piero, 37, admitted he will never join another Serie A side. TalkShit
Spurs have had a £14m bid for Internacional striker Leandro Damiao, 22, rejected as Harry Redknapp steps up his efforts to strengthen his forward line. Metro
Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has told the club they should sign France international Yann M'Vila, 21, if they want to keep star striker Robin van Persie. Metro
Chelsea's Champions League-winning caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo has emerged as a front-runner to take over as Aston Villa manager. Sunday Mirror
Di Matteo and his assistant, Eddie Newton, are being kept in the dark over their futures as Chelsea make one last attempt to lure Pep Guardiola to Stamford Bridge. Mail on Sunday
Gareth Barry fears he may be ruled out of Euro 2012 by a groin injury after being forced off after 28 minutes of the England's win over Norway in Oslo. Sunday Telegraph
England will take on old rivals Scotland at Wembley next summer as part of the FA's 150th anniversary celebrations. Sunday Express
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is determined to tempt Guardiola to west London but his plans could be scuppered by interest from Manchester United as a long-term successor for Alex Ferguson. Sunday Mirror
Alex is not considering his future as United manager, despite claims by Wigan chairman Dave Whelan that the 70-year-old will retire next season following a health scare last week. Sunday Telegraph
QPR manager Mark Hughes will have the final say on whether Joey Barton has a future at Loftus Road after the midfielder's 12-match suspension. Sunday Express
Liverpool have made the first steps towards appointing Louis van Gaal as sporting director after a meeting with him in Portugal last week. Sunday Telegraph
Former West Ham star Tony Cottee wants the Hammers to sign Michael Owen on a free transfer, saying a proven Premier League goalscorer would be ideal for the top-flight newcomers while it would also excite the fans. the Sun on Sunday
more bollox later ...
