Transfer talk: Nani, not Robin van Persie – for now – leaves Manchester United for Turkey

Nani has completed a move from Manchester United to Fenerbahce, the same club Robin van Persie was widely reported to be joining over the weekend, with his agent now dismissing the link.

New Fenerbahce signing Nani arrives at the airport in Istanbul on Sunday. AP Photo / July 5, 2015

Manchester United

Manchester United winger Nani has arrived in Istanbul to complete a move to Fenerbahce.

The 28-year-old Portugal international, who spent last season on loan at Sporting Lisbon, was greeted by huge crowds on Sunday evening as he jetted in ahead of a medical.

“I really am very happy to be here now,” he was quoted as saying by the Fenerbahce website. “I see this as a new opportunity in my career. This is an opportunity for me to show myself. I want to be successful.

“I’ve seen all these fans coming out for me and I was really happy. I want to show them my best football. I always do the best that I can.”

Nani, capped 86 times by his country, has played almost 150 games for Premier League side United, but was sent on loan to Sporting last summer as part of the deal to bring in defender Marcos Rojo and it has long been apparent that his Old Trafford career is over.

Read more: The National's Transfer Talk page

Nani told the fans he has heard much about Fener from his international teammates Bruno Alves and Raul Meireles.

“Fenerbahce are a club I have always known,” he said. “Fener is a club that aims high. With the national team I play with Bruno Alves and Raul Meireles and it is very nice for me to come here and feel like I have family. I hope I can quickly fit in.”

Reports over the weekend have linked Nani's former teammate at United, Dutch striker Robin van Persie, with a move to the same Super Lig club. The latest Dutch report quotes Van Persie's agent, Kees Vos, downplaying the talk – but also not outright denying it.

“If Robin had found a new club, we would have announced it,” he said. “And I’m in the Netherlands right now.

“All I can say is that tomorrow Robin will simply report at Manchester United for the first training session.”

Southampton

Southampton are expecting to complete a deal for Toby Alderweireld after Atletico Madrid failed to cancel the buy-out clause in time, Press Association Sport understands.

The 26-year-old spent a highly-successful season on loan at St Mary’s Stadium last term after finding playing time limited at the Vicente Calderon.

Alderweireld’s performances have led to interest from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, with reports on Sunday suggesting that they had agreed a deal with the Spanish club.

However, Southampton remain confident of signing the Belgium international for a cut-price £6.8 million (Dh38.9m) – the buy-out clause which formed part of his loan.

Atletico had the option to cancel it by paying Southampton a £1.5m fee, but it is understood they did not do so in time.

As such, Southampton believe they are entitled to sign the defender and could even look at a legal argument should he go elsewhere.

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