Rohan Sengupta
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is still interested in a move for Mesut Ozil, even if he signs Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal, according to various reports. United are in pole position to sign Sanchez after indicating they are willing to meet Arsenal’s £35m asking price for the forward.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Sunday that Sanchez’s future would be resolved ‘in the next 48 hours’ after he left the Chilean out of his side’s Premier League defeat at Bournemouth. There are reports that United are ready to offer Sanchez a package of £350,000-a-week.
Manchester City is Sanchez’s preferred option but United’s willingness to meet the financial demands of both the player and his club have made them firm favourites to complete a deal.
However, it has already been stressed that City would walk away rather than put together a financial package described as “ludicrous” for a player who would be available for nothing in the summer. A change in this stance is thought to be highly unlikely.
With Sanchez’s move to Old Trafford being imminent, Mourinho is planning to sign fellow contract rebel Ozil from Arsenal in the summer.
According to the Independent, snapping up the Chilean superstar will not change United’s stance on Ozil, also 29. The Red Devils’ initial plan was to move for Ozil in the summer when his current deal expires, and there had been an extensive expectation that Sanchez would go to City.
However, the only thing that has changed is Sanchez’s preferred destination, while Ozil still continues to be a player who Mourinho remains interested in bringing to Old Trafford in the summer. If they do pull off the Sanchez deal, United will still go for Ozil.
The report adds that the Portuguese boss sees the Germany playmaker, who he spent three years coaching at Real Madrid, as a missing part of his United team.
But Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is increasingly confident of tying Ozil down to a new deal.
“It looks like Sanchez will not extend his contract,” Wenger was quoted by The Sun.
“But we want to keep Jack [Wilshere] and if we have an opportunity maybe to keep Ozil, the rebuild will be less deep than if all three left.”
It will be a dream for us if we add Ozil to our ranks after snapping up Sanchez in January. But I just don’t see that happening as either of the Arsenal stars will move to Old Trafford this month or over the summer.
My preference would always remain Sanchez, although Ozil is equally fantastic and one of the best playmakers in Europe.
