City would try to sign Van Persie if contract talks with Arsenal break down

London, Mar 8(ANI): Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has said the club will enter the race to sign Dutch striker Robin Van Persie only if his contract negotiations with Arsenal fail.

Mancini said his club is behind every good player, and Van Persie is one of his favorite players.

Van Persie, who scored his 32nd goal in all competitions for the Gunners during Tuesday's 3-0 Champions League win against AC Milan at the Emirates, confirmed last week that he would delay negotiations over a new deal at the club until the end of the season. The 28 year-old's contract ends in June next year.

Mancini is of the opinion that Van Persie wouldn't leave the Emirates any time soon.

"I think if there is a good player who wants to leave a club, then we are interested. But if this player wants to stay, we don't have any problem," The Telegraph quoted Mancini, as saying.

"I think Robin van Persie will sign a new contract at Arsenal because if Arsenal also lose Van Persie, they will have a big problem. But we are interested in all good players. This is normal, but not only us. I think all the good teams are interested in Van Persie," he said.

He also hailed Van Persia as one of the best strikers of the world and compared him to Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronald and his club's Sergio Aguero.

"Van Persie at this moment is one of the best strikers in Europe with Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and with Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli. I think he is a fantastic striker, but I think he will remain with Arsenal," Mancini adds.

Arsenal have already been robbed twice by City during last season when they signed Samir Nasri and French defender Gael Clichy and now they are determined to prevent Van Persie from joining the migration from Emirates. (ANI)