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Juventus are set to launch a stunning SEVENTY million pound attempt to lure Robin van Persie to Italy.

Giuseppe Marotta, the Serie A champions' general manager, has held further talks with van Persie’s representatives and made it clear they will top any offer made by rivals Manchester United.

Van Persie will also be offered a five-year deal worth £190,000 a week AFTER tax.

And Juve have told his agents that they will make a £20m offer to Arsenal for his services.

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Sir Alex Ferguson is confident of landing Van Persie for United, even though they are reluctant to pay in excess of £15m for a player who a) turns 29 next week, meaning his sell-on value will only diminish, b) has a poor injury record and c)has said he will not extend a Gunners contract that expires next summer.

In addition, the Reds do not want to pay the Dutch international in excess of £200,000-a-week - van Persie would want the same £220k-a-week deal as United’s top earner Wayne Rooney to join them.

But Juventus, fearing that RvP is ready to go to Old Trafford, are determined to turn his head with a mind-boggling offer, in terms of transfer fee and personal terms.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini remains keen on van Persie, but the champions' hierarchy are trying to sell before they buy and have been unable to move striker Emmanuel Adebayor on to Tottenham because of his wage demands.

Also, City are not prepared to give van Persie more than £150,000-a-week.

It has all left Mancini fearing they will miss out and frustrated with the board’s lack of activity.

(Image: Michael Regan)

Arsenal - who are confident of buying Spain winger Santi Cazorla from Malaga for £20m this week - want in excess of that figure for their captain, and Arsene Wenger's determined stance has left van Persie frustrated.

Juve and the two Manchester clubs have all had bids for RvP rejected, as none of them topped £15m.

Like Juventus, United seem certain to return with an improved offer, backing up Ferguson’s confidence that Van Persie will choose them.

But the Italians are determined to make a last full-on assault to lure van Persie as their stellar signing ahead of their return to the Champions League.

Juve are trying to selling the move to the Dutchman by saying he can be a megastar in their iconic black and white kit, the way Zinedine Zidane was before he left for Real Madrid.

Click here for more from John Cross on the Robin van Persie saga in his weekly column.

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