Robin van Persie lands in Turkey as Manchester United striker closes in on Fenerbahce transfer

  • Robin van Persie landed at Sabhia Gokcen International Airport on Sunday
  • Manchester United striker is set to join Turkish giants Fenerbahce
  • He will put pen to paper on a three-year deal worth in the region of £240,000
  • Van Persie will join former Red Devils team-mate Nani at the Turkish outfit
  • Click HERE for all the latest transfer news  

Robin van Persie's career at Manchester United is drawing to a close after the Fenerbahce-bound striker touched down in Turkey ahead of his move to the club.

Van Persie was all smiles as he landed at the Sabhia Gokcen International Airport in Istanbul on Sunday afternoon.

The 31-year-old's arrival in the Turkish capital was greeted by a fanfare of Fenerbahce supporters who were eager to meet their soon-to-be forward.

Van Persie was all smiles as he landed in Turkey on Sunday afternoon ahead of his Fenerbahce move

Robin van Persie was all smiles as he landed in Turkey on Sunday afternoon ahead of his Fenerbahce move 

Van Persie was given a hero's welcome as he landed at the Sabhia Gokcen International Airport in Istanbul

Van Persie was given a hero's welcome as he landed at the Sabhia Gokcen International Airport in Istanbul

The Manchester United forward gave a thumbs up to his soon-to-be new Fenebahce supporters

The Manchester United forward gave a thumbs up to his soon-to-be new Fenebahce supporters

The Fenerbahce supporters arrived in their numbers to have a glance at the Holland international

The Fenerbahce supporters arrived in their numbers to have a glance at the Holland international

Fanfare over the 31-year-old included flares as supporters of the Turkish giants celebrated the imminent move

Fanfare over the 31-year-old included flares as supporters of the Turkish giants celebrated the imminent move

Earlier that day, Van Persie took to social media to post a series of pictures of himself and his family outside the private jet he will be flying on from Manchester Airport to Istanbul.

The Dutchman, who sported a Fenerbahce scarf, also uploaded a snap of himself in the cockpit of the plane accompanied with the caption 'Ready for take off'. 

Fenerbahce announced on Thursday that they had entered into negotiations with United and the Dutch striker over a potential move.

The 31-year-old will put pen to paper on a three-year deal worth in the region of £240,000-a-week at Fenerbahce, although the two clubs have not yet signed off on the fee or structure of payment.

Van Persie poses in the cockpit of the private plane he took to Turkey ahead of his flight

Van Persie poses in the cockpit of the private plane he took to Turkey ahead of his flight

Van Persie waves goodbye as he leaves Manchester Airport ahead of his unveiling as a Fenerbahce player

Van Persie waves goodbye as he leaves Manchester Airport ahead of his unveiling as a Fenerbahce player

Van Persie poses with his wife Bouchra and his two children before boarding the plane to Turkey

Van Persie poses with his wife Bouchra and his two children before boarding the plane to Turkey

'Previously we reported that we had begun transfer negotiations with Manchester United and the Dutch player Robin van Persie. On the evening of Sunday July 12, he is coming to Istanbul,' read a statement on their official website.

While Fener seem confident that a deal will be completed shortly, United boss Louis van Gaal refused to confirm that the 31-year-old was on his way out of Old Trafford on Friday.

Asked whether he was looking for a another striker because Van Persie was leaving, Van Gaal said: 'When you say that it is not all true.

'When we feel we can say he is gone you shall hear it from Manchester United. We don't have the feeling yet.' 

The 31-year-old, who sported a Fenerbahce scarf, was all smiles as he stands outside the plane in Manchester

The 31-year-old, who sported a Fenerbahce scarf, was all smiles as he stands outside the plane in Manchester

The Dutchman and his close family were due to arrive in Turkey at around 7:30pm (5:30pm BST) on Sunday

The Dutchman and his close family were due to arrive in Turkey at around 7:30pm (5:30pm BST) on Sunday

Van Persie scored 30 goals for United as they won the league in 2012-13 following his £24million move from Arsenal.

His impact since then, however, has been muted due to a series of niggling injuries, and he was limited to 10 goals in 29 appearances under compatriot Van Gaal last season.

Fenerbahce signed Van Persie's former United team-mate Nani on Monday for a reported £4.25m.

If Van Persie is sold, United would have only Wayne Rooney, James Wilson and the injured Javier Hernandez - out with a broken collarbone - in their squad as recognised strikers following the exit of on-loan Falcao at the end of the season.

Van Persie scored 48 goals in 86 Barclays Premier League games during his time at Manchester United

Van Persie scored 48 goals in 86 Barclays Premier League games during his time at Manchester United

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