Fansided

Report: Manchester United, Arsenal agree to Mkhitaryan, Sanchez swap

By Jake Walerius

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 10: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal 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 Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 10: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal 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 Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Manchester United and Arsenal have agreed to exchange attacking midfielders, with Alexis Sanchez going one way and Henrikh Mkhitaryan the other.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has agreed to a deal with Arsenal, according to a BBC report, clearing the way for Alexis Sanchez to join Manchester United and brining to an end one of the longest running transfer sagas in the sport.

Heading into the January transfer window, Manchester City were thought to be favorites to sign Sanchez, whose contract with Arsenal is set to expire in the summer, but United turned the Chilean’s head with the size of their contract offer.

The only question was what they’d have to give Arsenal in exchange for his services. The answer, it seems, is Henrikh Mkhitaryan, whose never quite hit the form he showed at Borussia Dortmund since joining United at the beginning of 2016-17.

The Armenian has had his moments, and played a crucial role in United’s Europa League triumph last season, but has found himself on the outside looking in for Jose Mourinho this season. The move could reestablish himself as one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe.

Given Sanchez’s contract expires in the summer, and the Gunners seemed willing, if necessary, to lose him for nothing, acquiring Mkhitaryan could represent something of a coup if Arsene Wenger can integrate him quickly into the starting XI.

Next: Ranking every Premier League season

As for United, they’re getting one of the very best attacking players in Europe in Sanchez. The Chilean can play anywhere in the attack, but is likely to play on the left or through the middle in United’s 4-2-3-1.

In 17 league starts for Arsenal this season, Sanchez has seven goals and three assists, something of a drop off from the 24 goals and 10 assists he managed last season. However, United use him, he should excel at Old Trafford.

Home/Premier League