Manchester United are closing in on a swap deal with Arsenal for Alexis Sanchez that will see Henrikh Mkhitaryan going in the opposite direction, reports BBC Sport. David Ornstein has also confirmed there will be no transfer fee changing hands.
EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan agrees move to Arsenal in a deal that will see Gunners forward Alexis Sanchez go opposite way. It’s a straight swap, no money involved. Paperwork complete, Mkhitaryan will undergo a medical over the next 2 days #MUFC #AFC
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) January 20, 2018
Alexis, who joined from Barcelona in 2014, has scored and created 10 goals in 19 Premier League appearances this season, and has less than six months remaining on his contract. Manchester City looked set to sign the Chilean international earlier this month, before the Sky Blues pulled out of the deal.
City withdrew their interest in Alexis after failing to meet Arsenal’s asking price, while Chelsea’s links with the ex-Udinese forward didn’t amount to much either. United will feel they’ve pulled off one of the best pieces of transfer business this season, as they swap a struggling Mkhitaryan for a forward boasting 60 Premier League goals in three-and-a-half seasons.
Alexis hasn’t been at his best in 2017/18, but he’s still contributing a goal every other game in the league. £150,000-a-week star, by comparison, hasn’t managed to score or create a goal since the end of September. The Armenian midfielder has gone 13 games in all competitions without registering, so Jose Mourinho letting him go makes sense.
Manchester United are currently 12 points adrift of City in the Premier League table, but adding more attacking talent will certainly boost their chances of success in 2018/19.
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