Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confided to close footballing friends that he is close to signing 20 million pound worth Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie.
Ferguson is confident the Arsenal captain will snub interest from neighbours City and Italian champs Juventus and link up with Wayne Rooney to form a formidable strike force in a rebuilt side he hopes can win back the title.
Rumour mills: Where will Robin van Persie go? Pic/AFP
Selling his skipper to Ferguson would be a huge blow to Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.
It would come 12 months after a summer that saw City buy Samir Nasri and Barcelona purchase then-captain Cesc Fabregas.
But Arsenal have little option but to sell unless they want to lose van Persie for nothing next summer, as the forward has announced he will not sign a new deal.
The Holland star was back in training this week after Euro 2012 and with a number of bids already made, Arsenal are keen to decide on his future before leaving on a Far East tour this weekend.