Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Holland international Robin van Persie could make his club debut against Everton at Goodison Park on Monday, 20 August, with the player’s agent currently in talks over personal terms with United CEO David Gill, ESPN Soccernet understands.
Van Persie reportedly underwent a medical on Thursday after Arsenal agreed a fee in the region of £20 million for the Dutchman.
The 29-year-old’s imminent arrival at Old Trafford will give the Red Devils arguably the best striker duo in world football, with Van Persie and Rooney having combined for 75 goals and 16 assists in 108 appearances for club and county last term.
In addition, the Dutchman’s inevitable move to Manchester means that Sir Alex Ferguson will have the English Premier League’s top two goal scorers from 2011-12.
Van Persie scored a league-leading 30 goals for Arsenal last season, while Rooney hit 27 for Premier League runners-up Manchester United.
“They are two fantastic players and it’s great to have the both of them,” revealed Fergie.
“It’s great to have a player of van Persie’s qualities coming into the squad. He is on his way up from London, he will have a medical later this afternoon and we hope that goes according to plan.
“His agent is in talks with David [Gill, United’s CEO]. Hopefully everything will be tied up by the end of the day. I am sure he will be available for Monday’s game.”
On a much sourer note, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insisted that he had no choice but to sell Van Persie, who had just one year remaining on his current deal, to Manchester United.
The Frenchman also revealed that he would have preferred to sell his former skipper abroad than to a Premier League club.
Luckily for the Gunners, Wenger, who signed Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski in anticipation of Van Persie’s exit, was well prepared for the eventual departure of RVP.
The additions of Cazorla, Giroud and Podolski should be enough to seal another top four finish for the Gunners in 2012-13, but Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle United and bitter north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur may have something to say about that.
Barca step up interest in Song
According to ESPN Soccernet, Arsenal midfielder Alex Song is on the verge of joining Spanish giants FC Barcelona for a transfer fee of £15 million.
The 24-year-old Cameroon international enjoyed a breakout year in 2011-12, tallying one goal and 11 assists in 34 league appearances for the Gunners.
In fact, only David Silva (15), Antonio Valencia (13) and Juan Mata (13) had more assists than Song in the Premier League last term.
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