Roberto Mancini had admitted he doesn't think Manchester City will sign Arsenal striker Robin van Persie.
City, along with Juventus and local rivals Manchester United, are renowned for their interest in the Dutchman, who revealed last month his desire to leave the Gunners.
When asked as to the likelihood of Van Persie, 29 today, joining the Citizens, the Italian replied: "No, I don't think he will come here."
Mancini delivered City's first ever Premier League title
However Mancini is renowned for erroneous predictions. He stated last season it was "impossible" for Carlos Tévez to play for the club again after he refused to warm up during their 2-0 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich. The Argentine returned in March to play a pivotal role in the final two months of the league campaign.
Another ruse came during his team and United's tussle for the title. Mancini repeatedly claimed the contest was "finished" after City found themselves eight points adrift on Easter Sunday, yet they won their first league championship in 44 years with a dramatic last-minute winner on the final day of the season.
Extraordinarily City, who spent £77m on signings last summer, are yet to add to their Premier League-winning squad.
Arsenal meanwhile are still in the process of finalising a deal for Málaga attacker Santi Cazorla and also hope to conclude a deal to bring Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin to the Emirates on a season-long loan.
Van Persie's Arsenal Career
Arsène Wenger has already signed Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud to bolster his side's squad as they seek to end a seven-year + trophy drought.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed 10 days ago the club had tabled a bid for the Holland international, although that was rejected by Arsenal.
Ferguson was absent from the Red Devils' dull draw with Vålarenga on Sunday, which led to speculation he was pursuing a transfer deal elsewhere.