Arsenal's plan to keep Van Persie

Mancini told the press corps: "We are interested in all good players. This is normal, but not only us. I think all the good teams are interested in Van Persie."

That was good enough for both the tabloids and the qualities to lead with, despite Mancini qualifying the remark by saying: "But I think he will remain with Arsenal."

The Daily Mail says that City would be willing to offer the Dutch striker £220,000 a week, which would be way out of Arsenal's wage structure - but the Daily Express says that Arsenal still have a plan to keep Van Persie.

The paper says that the Gunners will offer him a one-off "Thierry Henry-style" loyalty bonus of £5m to sign a new contract.

As the paper explains: "The hope is that a massive one-off loyalty payment may help (Arsenal) compete with the riches on offer at City and sway Van Persie's decision.

"Arsenal were successful with a similar strategy when, against the odds, they persuaded Henry to stay after the Champions League final defeat by Barcelona in 2006.

"He was given a £5m bonus, plus a new £120,000-a-week contract and an almost identical proposal will be put to captain Van Persie, who has scored 32 goals this season."

If Van Persie does stay at the Emirates it is looking increasingly likely that he would be partnered up front with German international striker Lukas Podolski.

Various papers are now reporting that Arsenal have had an offer in the region of £11m accepted for the Cologne man.

They could lose midfielder Alex Song though as he is linked with a move to Juventus in The Sun along with injury-prone Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien.

The paper says that Juve have £18m to spend and have identified the Premier-League based Africans as targets.

Away from Arsenal, and Rafael Benitez is out of the running to become the new Chelsea boss due to furious fans. Blues supporters sang en masse at the FA Cup tie at Birmingham that they did not want the former Liverpool man at their club and the Chelsea bigwigs have taken note. (The Sun)

Meanwhile, Chelsea have signed Italy U17 goalkeeper Luca Savelloni, 16, for £1.7m from Pescara. The deal was announced with Real Madrid considering a move for Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois as they start the search for Iker Casillas’s long-term replacement. (Daily Mail)

The agent of Twente striker Luuk de Jong, 21, has confirmed Liverpool's interest in the player. However, Marco de Marchi added: "Several English and German teams follow him." (Daily Mail)

Stoke are lining up a summer raid on the Championship with Blackpool's Matt Phillips top of their wanted list. The winger has shot to prominence this season as the Seasiders bid to return to the Premier League and Potters bossTony Pulis hopes £3m will be enough to prise the 20-year-old from Bloomfield Road.

West Brom have delayed naming a new backroom staff - because they are waiting for Roy Hodgson to decide his future. Hodgson has an outside chance of getting the England job and is out of contract at the end of the season. (The Sun)

Roger Johnson is facing internal disciplinary action by Wolves after turning up for training worse for wear. The 28-year-old club captain arrived bleary-eyed on Monday morning and will now face a heavy fine after his condition was noticed by colleagues. (Daily Mail)

Finally, Robbie Fowler’s proposed return to English football with Blackpool collapsed after he was offered a salary of just a hundred quid a week. Fowler reacted angrily when chairman Karl Oyston made him the basic-wage offer, which would have been topped up with £5,000 for every first-team appearance. (Daily Mirror)