Sky Sports reporter Paul Merson has urged Jose Mourinho to make a move to sign Arsenal contract rebel Alexis Sanchez. The Chile international has entered the final year of his Gunners deal, and this has spread speculation over his future this summer.
Speaking to The Star, the former Gunner has advised Mourinho to bid in excess of £50m, preferably in the £60-70m range in order to prise away the 28-year-old from the Emirates, he said: “Manchester United should make a bid of more than £50m for Alexis Sanchez because he could bring them the title. I wouldn’t get too carried away by the way they steamrolled West Ham last Sunday because they are still a player short for me. For the first 25 minutes or so of that game they never looked like scoring.
“It was just like last season all over again. Then a bit of magic and they’re in front. But will they do that every week? In the end West Ham just rolled over. I didn’t fancy United at the start of the season and I didn’t see anything in that game to change my mind. But if they got Sanchez, I would. He would make a massive difference. Arsenal won’t sell him to a rival for £50m but if United offered £60m or £70m he goes. United can afford it as well.”
Sanchez played a direct part in 34 goals (24 goals and 10 assists) for the Gunners last term, but they still finished below the top-four for the first time under Arsene Wenger. The attacker has not hidden his desire to play Champions League this season, but Wenger remains adamant the Chilean is for not sale regardless of his contractual status.
Mourinho recently admitted that he is content with his current squad despite not bringing in a fourth summer signing, but Sanchez could turn out to be a game-changer, should United pull off a similar coup to that of Robin van Persie’s five years ago.
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