Manchester City were "very close" to signing Robin van Persie from Arsenal

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has revealed that he wanted to sign Robin van Persie from Arsenal in the summer.

The 29-year-old Dutch striker joined rivals Manchester United instead and has scored 14 goals in 20 Premier League matches so far this season.

"Robin van Persie is a very important player for United," BBC Sport quotes Mancini as saying. "He has changed their situation. He is the difference between us.

"We wanted Van Persie because we knew he could be an important player. He is totally different from our other strikers. We wanted him for the Champions League and for the Premier League.

"We were very close. We were sure he was for us but this did not happen and now we can do nothing. We were very close three or four months before he joined United."

City are currently seven points behind United in second place in the Premier League.