Roberto Mancini has washed his hands
of Manchester City's
faltering pursuit of
Robin van Persie.
Mancini is losing hope that the
Barclays Premier League champions
will clinch the transfer of Arsenal
centre forward Van Persie amid
competition from Juventus and
neighbours Manchester United.
Asked in Beijing ahead of
Friday's friendly against Arsenal whether he is 'disappointed' that City
have not signed anyone yet this summer, the manager immediately
appeared to shift responsibility to football administrator Brian
Marwood.
Mancini said: 'For an answer to these questions you need to talk to the man in charge. I'm not in charge of these things.
'It's important to get players in. After what we did last year its important this year that we continue to win. This year will not be easy. It will be harder than last year. For this reason we need to improve our team. But we have people to do this. I hope that they can do a good job.'
Mancini fell out with Marwood and former chief executive Garry Cook last summer over player recruitment.
Despite working hard on improving
their relationship, tensions between
the City boss and Marwood continue to
exist, even if the situation does not
threaten the manager's future as has
been suggested elsewhere.
It is understood that City have made a personal offer to Van Persie but that Italian giants Juventus have offered more. Given their wealth and indeed their status as Premier League title holders, Mancini feels City should be at the front of the queue when it comes to wages and is irritated that a deal with the Holland star was not clinched before Juventus and United got involved.
From his perspective, Marwood is hesitant about committing huge sums of money to new players while some of the high-earners he is trying to sell are still at the club.
Strikers Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz are both yet to seal moves away from the Etihad Stadium and there are also doubts over the futures of Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez.
City play Arsenal here at the Bird's
Nest Stadium tonight but Van Persie is
not part of the Gunners' touring party.
Despite Mancini's pessimism about the situation, it is understood that City are still talking to the 28-year-old striker and trying to persuade him that a switch to the blue half of Manchester makes sense for a player looking to make the final big move of his career.
Mancini said: 'Van Persie is an Arsenal player. We have four fantastic strikers. We won the Premier League with these.'
City have confirmed that captain Vincent Kompany has signed a new six-year contact at the club worth £10million a year.
The 26-year-old Belgium
defender will pick up in the region of £200,000 a week after leading
City to glory in the league last season. Kompany was the man who scored
in City's 1-0 win over United in April, a victory which was vital in
them winning the title.
Mancini said: 'I am sure Vinny will be a fantastic captain for the next six years. He has improved a lot and is one of the best five defenders in the world.'
City arrived in Beijing on Wednesday and play Arsenal on Friday before moving on to Kuala Lumpur to face a Malaysian XI.
Mancini's squad is without star names like Mario Balotelli, Joe Hart and Joleon Lescott as they have only just started training back in Manchester after being given extra time off in the wake of the European Championship.
Frustration: Manchester City boss Roberto
Mancini, preparing his team to take on Arsenal in Beijing, is frustrated
with their failure to sign Robin van Persie
Speaking out: Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini at a press conference on Thursday
Mancini said: 'For an answer to these questions you need to talk to the man in charge. I'm not in charge of these things.
'It's important to get players in. After what we did last year its important this year that we continue to win. This year will not be easy. It will be harder than last year. For this reason we need to improve our team. But we have people to do this. I hope that they can do a good job.'
Mancini fell out with Marwood and former chief executive Garry Cook last summer over player recruitment.
Another new City fan? Actor Jackie Chan receives a shirt from Mancini in Beijing
It is understood that City have made a personal offer to Van Persie but that Italian giants Juventus have offered more. Given their wealth and indeed their status as Premier League title holders, Mancini feels City should be at the front of the queue when it comes to wages and is irritated that a deal with the Holland star was not clinched before Juventus and United got involved.
From his perspective, Marwood is hesitant about committing huge sums of money to new players while some of the high-earners he is trying to sell are still at the club.
Strikers Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz are both yet to seal moves away from the Etihad Stadium and there are also doubts over the futures of Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez.
Arsenal favourite: Robin van Persie in action against Wigan last season
Despite Mancini's pessimism about the situation, it is understood that City are still talking to the 28-year-old striker and trying to persuade him that a switch to the blue half of Manchester makes sense for a player looking to make the final big move of his career.
Mancini said: 'Van Persie is an Arsenal player. We have four fantastic strikers. We won the Premier League with these.'
City have confirmed that captain Vincent Kompany has signed a new six-year contact at the club worth £10million a year.
Frustrated: Arsenal chariman Peter Hill-Wood says he won't sell Van Persie on the cheap
Mancini said: 'I am sure Vinny will be a fantastic captain for the next six years. He has improved a lot and is one of the best five defenders in the world.'
City arrived in Beijing on Wednesday and play Arsenal on Friday before moving on to Kuala Lumpur to face a Malaysian XI.
Mancini's squad is without star names like Mario Balotelli, Joe Hart and Joleon Lescott as they have only just started training back in Manchester after being given extra time off in the wake of the European Championship.
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