Rohan Sengupta
Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez is closing in on reaching an agreement to join Manchester United, according to various reports. The Chilean will be out of contract at the end of the season and it looks increasingly likely that he won’t sign a new deal.
It is understood that the Gunners hierarchy have accepted that Sanchez is likely to depart after three and a half years at Emirates Stadium. Manchester United and Manchester City are both battling for his signature but it seems Jose Mourinho’s side may have the upper hand.
According to Sky Sports Italia Journalist Mario Giunta, United are closing in on the 29-year-old. He claims Mourinho’s side are close to agreeing on personal terms with the Chile international. However, Giunta adds that the Red Devils still need to agree to a transfer fee with the Gunners.
The Metro claim that United offered £25m for Sanchez’s services, £5m more than rivals City. The report also asserts that United are ready to use Henrikh Mkhitaryan as a makeweight in their deal with Arsenal, although that approach could be complicated by the midfielder’s wage demands.
However, Mourinho refused to rule out a January move and said that Sanchez is a “phenomenal player” on Friday.
“Sanchez is an Arsenal player,” Mourinho told in his press conference ahead of Stoke City clash, as reported by BBC.
“I don’t know but probably this weekend he is going to defend Arsenal colours, so I don’t think it’s correct to say things about Alexis Sanchez.
“Myself and the Manchester United board and owners, we don’t believe a lot in the January market. We don’t believe in signing a player just to sign a player.
“What we believe is there are some players in the football world, if you have the chance to sign them in January, March or July, you have to try. And that’s it.”
Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said:
“Normally he would stay until the end of the season – but we’ll see. Nothing is really concrete at the moment and nothing is decided one way or another. Of course, I want a quick resolution.”
What a turnaround of events in a couple of days regarding Sanchez’s situation. The former Barcelona man was close to a reunion with Pep Guardiola at City, but it looks like Mourinho’s Red Army are a step ahead of their noisy neighbours.
If this deal goes through, Sanchez would be a coup for United as we remain focused on challenging for the Champions League and FA Cup.
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