Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany has urged the club to beat Manchester United for Arsenal striker Robin van Persie.

City have been heavily linked with a move for the 29-year-old although reports on Tuesday suggest Manchester United are in pole position to sign the Dutch striker.

"It's very easy to say you want to play next to Robin van Persie," Kompany told Sky Sports News.

"He's a great player. He's proved it so many times last season and any team he would play for he'd make it stronger."