Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is demanding they sign Arsenal striker Robin an Persie.

The Mirror says Mancini is demanding that Van Persie is made Manchester City's top transfer priority - even though it could put him on collision course with his bosses.

City are adamant they must sell before they can buy and want to offload a string of strikers, with Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz and Edin Dzeko all available.

But title-winning manager Mancini wants Van Persie and is straining at the leash to launch a full-on assault for the Arsenal striker.