Manchester City are prepared to include Edin Dzeko in their bid for Arsenal contract rebel Robin van Persie. The Sun says they are ready to make a £15m initial offer, though last season's 37-goal ace is still likely to be an Arsenal player when the two teams meet in a Beijing friendly on July 27.

City, who do not want to pay more than £20m, are also willing to offer striker Edin Dzeko in a player-plus-cash deal.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has always been a big Dzeko fan but would recoil at his £130,000-a-week pay demands.

City are also hoping either AC Milan or Bayern Munich will make a move.