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Report: Arsenal and Manchester United yet to agree to terms for Alexis Sanchez

By Andrew Bernucca

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 10: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal looks dejected during the Carabao Cup Semi-Final First Leg match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on January 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 10: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal looks dejected during the Carabao Cup Semi-Final First Leg match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on January 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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Manchester United’s pursuit of Alexis Sanchez continues, but they may have to give up one of their own players to land the Chilean.

Alexis Sanchez is arguably the hottest item on the market this window, with Manchester City and Manchester United having expressed interest. The Guardian‘s most recent update on the saga makes a deal for United seem unlikely.

Sanchez almost signed with Manchester City this past summer on deadline day for £60 million. The deal fell through, due to Arsene Wenger not being able to finalize the deal he had in place for Sanchez’s replacement, Thomas Lemar.

Many thought Wenger would be desperate to sell the Chilean in January for any fee he could recoup as Sanchez is in the final six months of his contract. This means he’s already free to sign with whichever team he’d like to join after his current deal expires.

This has led to strong interest from Premier League clubs Manchester City, Manchester United and potentially Chelsea, according to The Guardian‘s report on the saga.

It appears a deal with City in this window has fallen through due to Sanchez’s pursuit of being the highest earner at the club, which is something City believed would be poor financial practice, according to the BBC.

With City’s pursuit coming to an end, United have swooped in and have even agreed to match Arsenal’s current £35 million valuation of the winger. BBC added United’s claim of add-on’s in the deal leading to it ultimately matching the £60 million valuation Arsenal had of Sanchez this past summer.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is still proceeding with caution, even with United’s impressive offer on the table. The Guardian‘s report makes it abundantly clear he will not agree to sell Sanchez until he has his replacement lined up.

The Guardian mentions one player Wenger has identified is United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The Armenian doesn’t seem thrilled to sign with Arsenal, though, and would prefer to continue to fight for first team football with United.

Mkhitaryan isn’t the only replacement Wenger has his eye on, as the Guardian points out he is also weighing up a move for Bundesliga star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Next: 5 replacements for Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez

Most clubs you assume would prioritize receiving some fee for their star player; not Wenger. He’s prepared to let him leave on a free if he doesn’t get a deal that satisfies him and find a replacement.

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