Manchester United signs Van Persie for £22m from Arsenal

London: Manchester United achieved a major success in the present transfer window after they signed last season’s double Footballer of the Year, Robin Van Persie from Arsenal, in a deal worth 22 million pounds, seeing of challenge from Manchester City and Italian champions Juventus.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger finally sanctioned the move for his dynamic captain to Old Trafford following a day of negotiations over the final terms of the transfer. The Dutch forward will fly from Brussels to Manchester this morning after being with the Holland squad for Wednesday night’s friendly against Belgium, and will undergo a medical before signing a 200,000 pounds-a-week deal with United. Van Persie’s defection from the Emirates to Old Trafford will see him become the first direct transfer from Arsenal to United since England defender Viv Anderson completed a 250,000 pounds move in 1987 to become Sir Alex Ferguson’s first signing as United manager. “Manchester United is pleased to announce it has reached agreement with Arsenal Football Club for the transfer of Robin van Persie. The deal is subject to a medical and the agreement of personal terms. A further announcement will be made in due course,” It is understood that Ferguson’s determination to sign Van Persie convinced the Dutchman that his future lay at Old Trafford, rather than at City, who failed to match Arsenal’s asking price or United’s salary offer. While falling short of the 25 million pounds initially demanded by Arsenal, the North London club claimed last night the deal could ultimately be worth 24 million pounds, although United were adamant it was 22 million pounds. ANI