Two strikers, one a City player and another an alleged transfer target, dominate the headlines in Friday’s Press.

Robin van Persie continues to be linked with a move to the Blues and for many journalists, it’s the story that just keeps giving.

The Daily Star’s Scott Coleman reckons City are about to make a move for the Arsenal captain in his feature headlined ‘City’s Big Van Drive’.

He writes: “Manchester City are preparing an astonishing £225,000-per-weeek pay packet to lure Arsenal hero Robin van Persie to the Etihad Stadium.

“The striker is Roberto Mancini’s No.1 target and City are ready to make him an offer he can’t refuse.

“Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is desperate to hold on to Van Persie – but an £11m per year salary could tempt the restless Dutch star to City.”

The other striker making the headlines (for a change!), is the one and only Mario Balotelli. Inevitably, his two-goal haul in Italy’s 2-1 win over Germany has produced a raft of stories today.

We can’t quote them all, so we’ll give the stage to Matt Lawton in the Daily Mail who writes:

“There could only ever be one Super Mario in this semi-final and the fact it was Balotelli and not Gomez is probably the shock of the tournament.

“But what a thoroughly pleasant surprise it was to see the often troubled Balotelli finally realising his considerable potential on the international stage.

“It was a moment to savour and enjoy, a moment for the sporting romantics and one that reignited this competition after back-to-back goalless matches that had to be settled by penalty shootouts.

“Balotelli frustrates the Italians at times. It was only last summer that Fabio Capello spoke of him as some kind of national disaster.

“Even out here there have been more fireworks. He has clashed with UEFA over racism, clashed with Cesare Prandelli, clashed with the Irish fans.

“He was once described by Jose Mourinho as ‘unmanageable’ and there have been times this season when Roberto Mancini must have wanted to see the back of him at City.

“But last night we were given a glimpse of why Mancini and Prandelli continue to indulge him and why he might just be worth the hassle.”

Mario grabs headlines for all the right reasons? That’s a headline in itself!