Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is determined to land Arsenal striker Robin van Persie. But he's been told by City's board to clearout his striker division before moving for the Dutch ace.

The Mirror says big-spending City have told manager Roberto Mancini he has to sell before he can buy Arsenal goal-machine Van Persie, as they are determined to get their house in order for the introduction of UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules.

Holland star Van Persie is Mancini's number one priority, but the deal is looking complicated because of City's sell-first stance.

The new Premier League champions are unlikely to sanction big pay-offs for any of their flock of unwanted strikers, who may struggle to match their current contracts elsewhere, because they are likely to fall foul of FFP guidelines.