Robin van Persie
Robin van Persie, Nicolas Anelka and Neymar have been linked with Russian side Anzhi MakHachkala. REUTERS

Robin van Persie, Nicolas Anelka and Neymar have all been linked with Anzhi Makhachkala as the Russian side attempt to establish themselves amongst Europe's elite.

Player/coach Roberto Carlos has revealed the Premier League duo are high on the club's transfer wish-list, with owner Suleyman Kerimov aiming to take the side into the Champions League within the next two years.

The Russian side have grand aspirations in the transfer market following the £22m capture of Samuel Eto'o from Inter Milan this summer and have been linked with similar big-money moves for Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

"[Nicolas] Anelka is not the only player," Carlos told Canal Plus. "Nene from PSG and Van Persie from Arsenal are players we are following. And Neymar? I talked to him. If Real, Barca or Manchester United cannot pay the transfer fee, we will pay it. Suleyman can offer what he wants."

"We want to make a club the calibre of Real or Barca," Carlos added. "We have the potential to have a strong team. We are already the best team in Russia and I am serious when I say that."

Arsenal striker van Persie has been linked with a move away from the Emirates, with negotiations on an extension to his current deal which expires in 2013 at a standstill.

But the Gunners captain has backed his side to return to winning ways, despite lying in 15th place after the recent derby loss to Tottenham.

"I have every trust in the things we are doing within the club," van Persie told the Sunday Mirror.

"There is only a fine line between winning and losing. Just look at our last match against Spurs. We could have won that game with the chances we had. There is no need to panic for anyone.

"Our start is not good. I would have felt better if we had won the derby. We didn't and right now there is a negative feeling. But I assure you, it is not all that negative."