Manchester City hope a stunning contract offer will convince Robin van Persie to stay in England.

The Daily Star Sunday says Arsenal will sell their Dutch talisman if he knocks back their new £140,000-a-week contract offer.

City are ready to pay Van Persie £250,000-a-week over four years.

However, the chances of the English champions pulling off a £30m swoop for the Holland ace appear slim. That's because his father has indicated he is not interested in moving to another Premier League club.

Bob van Persie reportedly told a Spanish newspaper: "It is impossible for him to go to another English team."

All of which leaves Real Madrid, Juventus and Paris St-Germain to slug it out for Van Persie.