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

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.


Robin van Persie
Thanks very much all of ya u are 2 kind!

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.

Loading Slideshow...

  • When you were young, 2004

  • Debut, 2004 Community Shield

  • Goal number one vs. City in the League Cup

  • Complemented by the Clock

  • The red mist at St Mary's, 2005

  • A semi-final brace at Cardiff, 2005

  • Aiming high to score in the 2005 FA Cup final shootout

  • A second red

  • A superb solo strike against Blackburn, 2005

  • Charlton, 2006. His greatest goal?

  • A sorry sight of yesteryear

  • "One day, we <em>will</em> get on well."

  • "This counts as a major trophy, right?"

  • Sent off for violent conduct at Stoke. Irony lurks

  • Three against Wigan, 2011

  • 2011 League Cup final scorer...

  • but still a loser to Birmingham

  • A ridiculous red in the Camp Nou

  • Celebrating a trio at Chelsea during the epic 5-3

  • Hat-trick vs. Blackburn

  • Downing Liverpool with a double

  • Uncool with Krul

  • PFA Player of the Year, 2012

  • Bidding goodbye at the Hawthorns

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.