United agree £24m deal for Robin Van Persie

Manchester United have agreed a £24m deal to sign Arsenal striker Robin van Persie on a four-year contract.

The 29-year-old will meet with United in the next 48 hours to discuss personal terms and have a medical.

Arsenal captain Van Persie announced in July he would not extend his current deal, which expires in June 2013.

“Manchester United is pleased to announce it has reached agreement for the transfer of Robin Van Persie,” the club said in a statement.

“The deal is subject to a medical and the agreement of personal terms. A further announcement will be made in due course.”

United will pay £22.5m, with a further £1.5m one-off bonus to follow if they win a Premier League or Champions League title in the next four years.

It is understood Arsenal were willing to make Van Persie their highest-ever paid player, but never actually offered him a new contract.

The Netherlands international scored 44 goals in 57 games for club and country last season, including two against United.

Sir Alex Ferguson first confirmed United’s bid for Van Persie on 20 July but Arsenal dismissed the offer which fell short of their valuation.

Last week the Manchester United boss admitted that attempts to sign the forward from Arsenal had stalled.

“We’ve made a bid, they [Arsenal] have been trying to negotiate with other clubs,” said Ferguson.

“I don’t have a gut feeling about it. We can’t get a breakthrough with Arsenal.”

Juventus and Manchester City were also interested in Van Persie, but City boss Roberto Mancini admitted last week they were out of the running for the striker.

The Dutchman was named Professional Footballers’ Association and Football Writers’ player of the year last season.

However, he suffered a disappointing Euro 2012 campaign – scoring only once as the Netherlands were eliminated at the group stage.