As of last night, Manchester United have announced that they have agreed a deal with Arsenal FC for the transfer of Robin Van Persie.
A £23 million transfer fee has been agreed upon by the two parties, and the official transfer will now be subject to personal terms and a medical.
After reopening negotiations with each other on Tuesday night, both Manchester United and Arsenal agreed to a transfer for the 29 year old Holland international, as potentially the signing that United need to get back the Premier League title from Manchester City.
Van Persie made his intentions plain with a statement on 4 July, when he said he wanted to win trophies and that he and the club “in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal FC should move forward”. He has forced the club’s hand by refusing to extend his contract, which has less than 12 months to run. Arsenal did not want to lose him as a Bosman free agent.
The Arsenal statement said: “[We] can confirm that terms have been agreed for the transfer of Robin van Persie to Manchester United. Van Persie will travel to Manchester in order to agree personal terms and complete a medical ahead of the proposed move.”
Arsenal have finally gotten to terms in getting their minimum £20m asking price. Before they departed for their pre-season tour of Asia on 21 July, to which Van Persie did not travel, the club had received bids from United, City and Juventus, none of which was for more than £15m, seemingly inadequate at the time for a 2010 World Cup Finalist.
Many United players, namely Michael Carrick, expressed much excitement at the prospect of playing alongside Van Persie. “He had a terrific season and he will further strengthen our squad. It is a great boost going into the new season. He is a world-class player and we have always been about bringing in players of that ability”, exclaimed the United midfielder, also a regular player for the national England side.
The Telegraph reports that Van Persie could be making his United debut against Everton in the Premier League on Monday, according to Sir Alex Ferguson. Whatever the case, anyone watching football will have their heads glued to the television in expectancy of a marvel making his mark at the Theatre of Dreams.