Transfer Tracker: Robin Van Persie, Javi Martinez, Luka Modric, Gio Dos Santos
Rejoice, citizens of the football world.
The Robin van Persie transfer saga is finally finished. Arsenal fans, you may now commence crying.
With RvP off to Manchester United, the Transfer Tracker feels a bit bare. What will we do with our time together now?
Well, today, we have updates on Chicharito, Fernando Llorente, Javi Martinez, Luka Modric and Giovani dos Santos.
Read on for the details.
RvP to United
1 of 5Arsenal and Manchester United on Wednesday announced a deal had been reached over the transfer of Dutch forward Robin van Persie.
Here's the story from Arsenal.com. Read it and weep, Gooners (no, really, I've been doing exactly that for the past 20 minutes).
Van Persie, 29, was set to travel to Manchester on Thursday. He is expected to undergo a medical and agree to personal terms.
According to BBC Sport, the transfer fee is £24 million.
In eight seasons with the Gunners, van Persie scored 96 league goals (132 in all competitions), including a Premier League-best 30 strikes last season. He served as Arsenal captain last year.
Chicharito Going the Other Way?
2 of 5With RvP on his way out of Arsenal, the tabloids are falling all over themselves to identify his potential replacement.
Incredibly, the Daily Mirror claims Manchester United's Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez could move to Arsenal as part of the deal that sent Robin van Persie to Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reckons Athletic Bilbao want Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur to engage in a North London bidding war over Fernando Llorente.
Funny, we thought Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud had already joined Arsenal as potential RvP replacements.
Real Close on Modric
3 of 5The summer's other big saga, Luka Modric to Real Madrid, might also wrap up soon.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Real have made a "significant breakthrough" in their attempt to sign Tottenham Hotspur's Croatian midfielder.
After the latest negotiations, Real would pay Spurs a sum near £35 million up front. Modric is expected to arrive in Madrid this week for a medical and personal negotiations.
Bayern Close on Martinez
4 of 5Bayern Munich are closing on a big-money move for Spanish defender/midfielder Javi Martinez of Athletic Bilbao, according to reports in Germany (ESPNSoccernet).
German paper Bild is reporting that Bayern and Athletic have agreed to a €40 million deal. It would be a club-record signing for Bayern.
Martinez, 23, has earned eight caps for Spain.
Gio Finally Set to Go?
5 of 5Gold medalist Giovani dos Santos could finally be on his way out of Tottenham.
According to Italian reports cited by Goal.com, dos Santos could move to Inter Milan as part of a deal that would send Inter keeper Julio Cesar to Tottenham.
Dos Santos, 23, scored three goals for Mexico during the Olympic tournament. He has made only 15 league appearances since joining Tottenham in 2008.
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