• Premier League

Wenger dismisses Van Persie-to-Man City talk

ESPNsoccernet staff
October 1, 2011
Arsenal captain Robin van Persie has looked disillusioned at times this season © PA Photos
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said there is "no truth" in reports linking striker Robin van Persie with a January move to Manchester City.

It has been speculated Van Persie could be targeted by City as a replacement for Carlos Tevez, whose future is the subject of conjecture following his apparent refusal to come on as a substitute in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Samir Nasri became the latest Arsenal player to join City in the summer, following Gael Clichy, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor in making the move to the Etihad Stadium, and reports this week have claimed Van Persie could be next to make the switch after the Dutchman said talks over a new Arsenal contract are not a priority at present.

However, Wenger said: "This is a story created to create a story. There is no truth to it. There is nothing to say really. Anybody who wants to sign one of our players can call me. Everybody has my phone number. I don't know why we are even speaking about transfers. Robin is under contract until 2013."

Wenger went on to question why City would target another frontman, with his counterpart Roberto Mancini having sent out Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz on loan to Tottenham and Betis respectively as he already boasts the likes of Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko and Tevez.

He added: "Why should we sell players in January? Man City already have problems because they have too many strikers, they pay half of the league for them to play away somewhere. Why should they want to buy strikers? It's very difficult to understand."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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