Arsenal Breaking Transfer News: Robin Van Persie Sold to Manchester United

In news that will horrify, disappoint, disgust and devastate in equal measure, the summer-long transfer saga of Robin Van Persie has just ended. He is off to Manchester United and has undoubtedly assured himself a place in the club's hall of shame.

Announcing the news, Arsenal.com released the following statement:

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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. Further updates will feature on Arsenal.com in due course.

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The Manchester United website carried the news as well, their statement saying:

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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.

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According to the BBC's David Ornstein, the deal is said to be worth £24 million.

There will, of course, be much speculation, analysis, criticism and praise with respect to this deal, but at the very outset, the Gooner reaction is one of abject disappointment.

Arsene Wenger will obviously have had very strong reasons for selling his best player to a massive rival, and I guess all will be clear in the next few days.

Good luck, Sir Alex. You've either got yourself a championship winner or a crock.

Worth a £24 million punt?

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