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Manchester City will react to their likely exit from this season's Champions League by stepping up their attempt to sign Robin van Persie this summer.
Although the club's oil-rich owners will accept the Premier League title and possible success in the two domestic cups as consolation for European failure this time, they will underpin their determination to create the best team on the continent at the Etihad Stadium with a money-no-object bid for Arsenal's 28-year-old goal machine.
The Mail On Sunday revealed City's interest in Van Persie in September, and last week's 2-1 defeat against Napoli, with its potential financial consequences for the club, has heightened the desire to sign the Dutchman.