Man. United strike Van Persie deal

Manchester United have confirmed they have agreed a deal to sign Robin van Persie from Arsenal, the English club said yesterday.

The announcement comes after an intense period of negotiations and is subject to Dutch striker Van Persie passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.

“Manchester United is pleased to announce it has reached agreement with Arsenal Football Club for the transfer of Robin Van Persie,” said a club statement.

“The deal is subject to a medical and the agreement of personal terms. A further announcement will be made in due course.”

It is not anticipated there will be any problems with either remaining part of the deal.

And providing it goes through without a hitch, Van Persie could face Everton in United’s opening Premier League game at Goodison Park on Monday.

No fee has been confirmed by United, although it is believed to be around the £20million mark, with further payments to Arsenal depending upon success in the future.

It has been suggested Van Persie will sign a four-year deal.

The transfer represents the biggest deal United have done since Dimitar Berbatov's club record £30.75m move from Tottenham in 2008.

It comes at a time when further questions are being raised about the finances available to Sir Alex Ferguson.

This will now be of little concern to the United boss, who has consistently stated how much backing he has received from the Glazer family.

Despite the presence of England Euro 2012 star Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez in his squad, in addition to Berbatov, who has been widely tipped to leave Old Trafford, Ferguson made Van Persie one of his main summer targets.

The Red Devils initially lodged a bid for the 29-year-old last month, but this was turned down by the Gunners amid further interest from Manchester City and Juventus.

However, City never followed up an initial inquiry, while Van Persie made it clear he was not interested in a move to Serie A.

Ferguson is said to have intervened in a deal that was in danger of stalling by speaking directly with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Although Wenger did not want to sell his star man to a rival club, he realised the Gunners were in a tricky situation, with fans turning against Van Persie during a pre-season encounter with Cologne on Sunday.