10 Most Surprising Transfers In Premier League History

9. Robin Van Persie - Arsenal To Man United

File photo dated 04-02-2011 of Chelsea new signing Fernando Torres (right) and manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Martin Rickett/PA Archive

The move of Robin Van Persie from Arsenal to Manchester United back in 2012 proved a pivotal moment for both Van Persie and United, as the Dutch international would go on to have one of the biggest impacts the Premier League has seen from someone in their first season at a new club.

It was a shock move at the time and one which caught Gunners fans off guard, but United manager Alex Ferguson knew exactly what he was doing. Moving from the Gunners to United in a £22m deal, Van Persie would go on to fire in 30 goals across all competitions, including 26 in the Premier League in a stellar first campaign for the Red Devils.

Not only did he bang in the goals, but he delivered United their 20th league title, setting himself firmly on a pedestal in United fans' eyes and further increasing the gap in quality between United and former club Arsenal.

That would be his only trophy at United as the goals didn't flow quite so frequently in his following two years at the club, but the surprise of the move at the time and the immediate impact he would have at Old Trafford make this transfer stand out.

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