Robin Van Persie is set to complete a £22m move to Manchester United from Arsenal on Thursday after the two clubs agreed on a fee for the Dutch forward on Wednesday evening.
Van Persie is due to undergo a medical in Manchester tomorrow after an agreement was thrashed out by senior figures at Old Trafford and the Emirates Stadium.
United have beaten off competition from Manchester City and Juventus to sign last season’s double Footballer of the Year.
The 29 year-old, who becomes the first player to leave Arsenal for Manchester United since Viv Anderson, in the 1980s has been the centre of the summer’s most high-profile transfer saga after going public with his refusal to sign a new contract at the Emirates last month.
Talks between United and Arsenal are understood to have progressed well on Wednesday, with the final stage being a discussion about add-ons to take the deal to a final figure of £22m.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had insisted that the Old Trafford club would not pay in excess of £15m for Van Persie, with Arsenal holding out for £25m.
But a compromise has been reached with United understood to be paying £15m as an initial payment, with further fees dependent on add-ons linked to Van Persie’s appearances, goals and silverware won as a United player.
The sale of Van Persie is the latest blow to Arsenal, who have seen a stream of top players leave the club in recent seasons.
Van Persie follows Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri out of the club, with Barcelona also keen to snare midfielder Alex Song.
United posted a statement on their website which read: “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.’
Arsenal added their own statement: “Arsenal Football Club can confirm that terms have been agreed for the transfer of Robin van Persie to Manchester United.”
“Van Persie will travel to Manchester on Thursday in order to agree personal terms and complete a medical ahead of the proposed move.”