The Song's over for Arsenal

Arsenal's Alex Song is close to completing his move to Barcelona after the two clubs agreed a fee for the midfielder.

The 24 year old Cameroonian midfielder, who was not included in Arsenal's 0-0 draw against Sunderland yesterday, is set for contract talks and a medical ahead of the completion of the deal. Though, Arsene Wenger is lining up Real Madrid's 23 year old Turkish midfielder Nuri Sahin as a replacement on a season long loan deal.

Wenger said: "It's always frustrating losing good players, but we have plenty of players in midfield,"

"We could bring in further players, Nuri Sahin is on [of the names we are chasing]."

Sahin could join Arsenal on a season long loan deal, though Liverpool have also been linked with the former Borussia Dortmund playmaker.

Song, who had two years left on his contract, joined Arsenal as a 17 year old from French side Bastia in 2005. He arrived on an initial loan deal with a £2.75 million fee agreed to make the move permanent.

Since then Song has gone on to make over 200 appearances for Arsenal, which included 34 last season.

Arsenal do have cover in that area with Abou Diaby, Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky close to a return to full match fitness, and Wenger is happy with the options he has.

Wenger has also brought it strikers Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski, though, their top scorer and captian Robin Van Persie has joined Manchester United.

Robin Van Persie completes United move

Fergie's got his man!

Robin Van Persie has completed his £24 million move to Manchester United from Arsenal.

The 29 year old Dutch striker signed a £250 000 a week four year deal at Old Trafford and looks set to make his debut at Everton on Monday.

Van Persie said: "Its an honor to sign for Manchester United. I am looking forward to following in the footsteps of so many great strikers, bringing my experience and playing my part to help the team compete for the biggest trophies in the game. I can't wait to get started."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Robin is a world class striker with a proven record in England and in European football. His talents need no introduction to our fans. He has scored a number of goals against us in some classic battles with his former club, his movement, finishing and all-round ability are outstanding."

United now boast one of the most formidable strike forces in England and Europe, with two of last seasons tops scorers (Robing Van Persie and Wayne Rooney).

Ferguson has even gone as far as to say that his current strike force of Danny Welbeck, Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie and Javier Hernandez is close to his 1999 treble wining strike force of Teddy Sheringham, Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Manchester City will have to fight tooth and nail to retain their Premier League title from the Red half of Manchester!

Robin Van Persie on the way to United

All smiles as United agree deal for Van Persie

The RVP saga is finally drawing to a close after Manchester United and Arsenal agreed a fee for the Dutch striker.

United have beaten of competition from the current Premier League champions Manchester City and Serie A champions Juventus to sign last season's top scorer who fired an incredible 30 goals in the Premier League for Arsenal. RVP will travel to Manchester on Thursday to agree personal terms and undergo a medical.

The 29 year old Dutch striker, who will become the first player to leave Arsenal for Manchester United since Viv Anderson in the 1980's, has been the centre of the summer's most high profile transfer saga after the striker went public with his announcement that he would not sign a new deal at the Emirates.

The fee is rumored to be in the region of £22 million pounds after add-ons. Van Persie is likely to partner Wayne Rooney upfront in a formidable United attack. Rooney finished behind Van Persie with 27 goals last season.

Sir Alex Ferguson has finally got his marquee signing of the summer, which will leave United looking a lot stronger after the acquisitions of Crewe youngster Nick Powell, Japanese midfielder Shinji Kagawa and Chilean striker Angelo Henriquez.

United's RVP deal stalls

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Manchester United's bid for Robin Van Persie has stalled.

Van Persie has 11 months left on his contract and has already said that he does not want to sign a new contract at the Emirates.

Ferguson said: "We've made a bid, they [Arsenal] have been trying to negotiate with other clubs,".
He continued to say: "I don't have a gut feeling about it. We can't get a breakthrough with Arsenal."

Ferguson first revealed that United made a bid for the 29 year old Dutch striker on the 20th of July. Though, it is not known whether United have increased their initial bid, said to be around £15 million, but Ferguson has admitted that United might not be successful in their pursuit of Van Persie. Arsenal seem unlikely to enter into formal negotiations unless their £20 million valuation of the Dutch striker is met.

After United's preseason friendly against Barcelona in Gothenburg Ferguson said that its difficult to say why Arsenal are operating in the manner that they are but that the club will just have to persevere in their quest to bring Van Persie to Old Trafford.

Last season Van Persie won the Professional Footballers' Association and Football Writers' Association player of the year awards. He also scored 41 goals in 53 appearances for club and country.

Juventus are said to still be interested in Van Persie. Though, the Premier League champions Manchester City are out of the hunt for the striker after Roberto Mancini revealed the news a few days ago.

Meanwhile, Ferguson also spoke about Lucas Moura's deal to PSG. He said that he finds it quite amazing that the mega rich French club have spent €45 million on the 19 year old Brazilian starlet.

No Man City switch for RVP!

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has come out and said that he does not expect Robin Van Persie to make the switch to Manchester City this summer.

Van Persie's current contract expires next summer and he has already stated that he will not be signing a new contract with Arsenal.

Manchester United, Manchester City as well as the Serie A champions Juventus have all made bids which have failed to meet Arsenal's asking price for the 29 year old Dutch striker. And in an interview Roberto Mancini said: "Van Persie? No, I don't think he will come here."

Van Persie has been included in the Arsenal squad which will travel for the club's preseason training camp this week in Germany. Though, it remains to be seen if he will be in the team to play Cologne on Sunday.

Even though City, United and Juventus have all made bids it is unlikely that Arsenal will let their captain leave for anything less than £25 million. City appear to have given up the chase for the Dutchman, though, United and Juventus are still on the pursuit for the striker but have not increased their opening bids.

Although the move to the Premier League champions would be tempting, it is understood that Van Persie has "expressed a preference for the prestige and tradition of United and Juventus."

Last season Van Persie won the Professional Footballers' Association and Football Writers' Association player of the year awards due to his 36 goals for the Gunners last season. Arsenal definitely look set to lose Van Persie, though, they are on the verge of sealing a permanent deal for Malaga's Santi Cazorla as well as a season long loan deal for Real Madrid's Nuri Sahin.

Arsenal look set to lose their captain as well as talisman and either United or Juventus look set to gain an exceptional striker who has the knack for scoring some truly spectacular and important goals. Though, whatever the outcome it would be great to finally put this RVP situation to bed.

RVP set for Gunners exit

This is goodbye!

Robin Van Persie has announced that he will not be signing a new contract with Arsenal. Van Persie met with Arsene Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis but revealed that the two parties could not agree on the way the club should move forward thus resulting in Van Persie deciding not to extend his contract at the club. Though it is not clear whether he will play out the remainder of his contract or seek a move away from the Emirates. Van Persie joined the club eight years ago from Feyenoord for a fee of £2.75 million. During his time at the club he has suffered many injuries yet the club, especially Arsene Wenger, have stood by him and last season he really showed his class and finished as the leagues top scorer as well as the PFA and Football Writers' player of the season. This news doesn't bode well for Arsenal as they are trying to build a team yet over the past few seasons their best players such as Cesc Fabregas, Thierry Henry and Samir Nasri have all left. Though they have already confirmed the capture of Lukas Podolski from Cologne and Olivier Giroud from Montpellier. Arsenal would probably look to cash in on Van Persie, rather than lose him for nothing in 12 months time, with Juventus and Manchester City keen on the 28 year old striker.