Van Persie off to United

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Manchester United is set to complete the signing of Robin van Persie from Arsenal on Thursday after the Premier League rivals reached an agreement over the sale of the Netherlands striker.

Both clubs released statements on their websites on Wednesday saying personal terms still needed to be finalized and that a deal was subject to a medical examination.

No financial details were disclosed by either United or Arsenal, although British media have reported that the London club wanted 20 million pounds ($31.3 million) for its captain, who has one year left on his contract.

"Arsenal Football Club can confirm that terms have been agreed for the transfer of Robin van Persie to Manchester United," the Arsenal statement said. "Van Persie will travel to Manchester on Thursday in order to agree personal terms and complete a medical ahead of the proposed move."

The Dutchman, who joined from Feyenoord in 2004, was the Premier League's top scorer last season with 30 goals. But he has refused to sign a new contract with Arsenal, saying he wasn't happy with the direction the club was heading.

Arsenal hasn't won a trophy since 2005 and has been unable to keep hold of its leading players in recent seasons, with midfielders Cesc Fabregas joining Barcelona and no fewer than four players have left for Premier League champion Manchester City - Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure and Gael Clichy - since 2009.

If United completes the signing of Van Persie, he will join a star-studded strike force that already includes England internationals Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck, Mexico forward Javier Hernandez and former Bulgaria international Dimitar Berbatov.

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Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.