Done deal.
Alexis Sanchez’s move to Manchester United has been confirmed.
🎹 Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. Introducing #Alexis7…#GGMU #MUFC @Alexis_Sanchez pic.twitter.com/t9RIIx4mE4
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 22, 2018
Sanchez was left out of Arsenal’s squad for their recent win over Crystal Palace and manager Arsene Wenger said he had to ‘travel north’ to finalise his move to United. The Chilean had his medical and has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal – which will keep him at Old Trafford until the end of the 2021/22 Premier League season.
The 29-year-old joined Arsenal from Barcelona in 2014 for £31m, he scored 85 goals in 165 appearances for the London club and was part of the team which won two FA Cups. However, it has become increasingly apparent over the past year that he had no intention of extending his stay with the club.
He rejected the offer of a new deal and his contract was due to expire at the end of this season. Sanchez nearly joined Manchester City on deadline day of the transfer window last summer, after Arsenal accepted a £65m bid for the forward. But, as they couldn’t secure a replacement, Sanchez stayed and was a frustrated figure at the Emirates.
The forward was expected to sign for City this month, but once United entered the race for his signature, and offered a greater financial package, the Premier League leaders ended their interest. Sanchez has reportedly become the fourth-best paid football in the world.
The news follows Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s decision to to join Arsenal. BBC journalist David Ornstein broke the news on Saturday evening, reporting that the deal will be a straight swap between the clubs, and no transfer fee will be involved.
Love that, @HenrikhMkh – we're delighted to have you here 🔴 pic.twitter.com/PDABMfhsNx
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 22, 2018
Mkhitaryan has ended his difficult spell with United. The Armenian forward joined the club from Borussia Dortmund in 2016 for £30m. He had been named the Bundesliga Player of Season in his final campaign in Germany, but it soon became clear that he didn’t fit into Jose Mourinho’s plans. He earned his place in the team last winter, after falling out of favour in the opening months of the season. He also scored in the Europa League final victory over Ajax last May, and started this season in brilliant form, registering five assists in his first four matches.
However, the 28-year-old has rarely been used by Mourinho over the past few months. His United career saw him score 13 goals in 63 games.
