City were ‘very close’ to signing van Persie

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has claimed he was “very close” to signing Robin van Persie last summer.

Tue, 01 Jan, 2013 - 00:00

Andy Hampson

The prolific Dutchman was heavily linked with the Barclays Premier League champions before opting to sign for rivals Manchester United in a reported £22million deal.

Mancini has previously admitted he was interested in signing the 29-year-old but has only now indicated how strongly City pursued him.

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