Manchester City Transfer News: Will City Land Robin Van Persie?

When Arsenal striker Robin van Persie confirmed he would not be resigning with the club next season, Manchester City fans around the world all jumped with glee simultaneously.

Van Persie had been a long-standing target for the cashed-up club and had been heavily linked with the club should a new deal at Arsenal fail to take place.

The Daily Mirror is reporting that Manchester City are putting together a £220,000-per-week deal for the Dutch international as they try to dwarf offers from other clubs. Should that figure end up going through, it would appear difficult for van Persie to turn down the substantial offer.

Or would it?

Sure, Manchester City have the money and the most recent English Premier League trophy in their cabinet, but are they the most viable landing designation for van Persie when his contract expires?

In his official statement, the Golden Boot Winner hinted at the lack of competition success as the driving factor behind his decision to leave the club next season:

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"I've thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract. 

"I personally have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days.

"Out of my huge respect for Mr Wenger, the players and the fans I don't want to go into any details, but unfortunately in this meeting it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal FC should move forward."

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Arsenal's lack of success in the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League has seemingly driven him away from the Emirates and could well drive him to the Etihad as Manchester City establish themselves as a genuine contender for the next few seasons.

However, van Persie to Manchester City is no done deal, with several factors needing to fall in to place first for any prospective deal to take place.

First, Roberto Mancini will have to offload some of his current players to accommodate for the Dutchman with the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Edin Dzeko and Roque Santa Cruz all potential movers for van Persie.

The most likely of these is Adebayor, who's currently on around £170,000 per week at City and would thus make enough space available for van Persie in the City budget.

But money aside for the moment, van Persie may still not want to come to the Etihad when his contract expires. With the club's current attacking talent, he might not be able to play the go-to striker's role the he desires.

Mario Balotelli was in excellent form for Italy at Euro 2012 and will likely push for a starting role in Roberto Mancini's side next season. Add Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero—who were both excellent for City down the stretch last season—to that mix, and van Persie may well feel there is simply too much competition at the club.

It's a fine line between having attacking talent around, which van Persie clearly wants, but not having too much that a player feels threatened by the competition, which the Arsenal captain could feel if he makes a move to the Citizens next season.

Manchester City are the most likely landing spot for the Dutch international when his contract expires—they have the money and the playing personnel available to convince van Persie that they are the best team available.

But with a year left on his contract and plenty of factors needing to fall in to place first, don't expect to hear the news of van Persie to City any time in the near future.

This saga looks set to continue for a lot longer still.

Will Manchester City end up securing Robin van Persie?

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