Predictable ‘Man City interest in Arsenal’s Van Persie’ rumours start to surface

Who didn’t see this coming? It’s a new rule in British football; any player performing well over a sustained period of time must automatically be subject to interest from Manchester City.

It’s of little surprise then that The Sun have breathlessly splashed some nonsense about Robin Van Persie being the subject of £30m bid from the Champions-elect in the Summer.

Naturally, there’s no quotes, evidence, or anything else that gives this any credibility – it’s just 300 words of suggestive prose. Still, the dirty little tabloid can’t resist slapping an ‘EXCLUSIVE’ tag all over it.

“City are comfortable that Van Persie will not sign a new contract at the Emirates and follow Gunners Samir Nasri, Kolo Toure and Gael Clichy to the Etihad.”

I think they probably mean that City are ‘confident’ there – easy mistake to make though. Regardless, it’s all bollocks – it was written by Neil Custis, which almost guarantees that it’s completely without foundation. Could you not have even made-up some quotes from ‘an insider’ Neil, or at least a ‘source close to Robin Van Persie’. If you’re going to print lies, at least put some effort into it.

On a slightly more humourous note, have a look at the caption under the photograph of Van Persie. Aside from the obligatory play-on-words that has to, by contract, appear in every article written by all journalists employed at the paper, we also get the deeply insightful:

“RVP could get big wage rise if he joins City”

Oh really, now I’m sold – you’ve convinced me. I’ll bet the Dutchman is already looking at property in Cheshire.

Arsenal to beat Manchester City? 5/1 with Paddy Power.