Sanchez transfer saga finally coming to a close
MANCHESTER UNITED will confirm the signing of Alexis Sanchez today.
Sanchez flew to Manchester on a private jet to undergo his medical at the club’s Carrington training complex.
He has agreed a long term deal worth up to £500,000-a-week (RM2.7m) that includes a £20 million (RM108m) signing on fee spread over the duration of his deal.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger hinted the huge sums on offer at Old Trafford were behind Sanchez’s desire to quit the Gunners.
“I cannot understand anybody wanting to leave Arsenal,” said Wenger. “But in 30 years of doing transfers is that you learn a lot about human beings.
“As a professional, it was perhaps his last contract at the top level and an important contract.
“Arsenal Football Club is 130 years old and many big players have left. Will it go a bit less good? We will see. But there is always life afterwards.”
Sanchez was given permission to travel to Manchester after Henrikh Mkhitaryan agreed personal terms with the Gunners.
Arsenal are also closing in on a £50 million (RM270m) deal to land Borussia Dortmund ace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Chief executive Ivan Gazidis and head of recruitment Sven Mislinta have flown to Germany in a bid to thrash out a deal with the Bundesliga outfit.
Sanchez, 29, will become the highest paid star in United’s history.
The Chilean international will also be handed the iconic No. 7 shirt made famous by the likes of George Best, Eric Cantona and David Beckham.
United boss Jose Mourinho reckons landing Sanchez ahead of bitter rivals Manchester City is a major coup.
United will announce Sanchez’s signing once he has secured a new work permit and he is expected to make his debut at some stage during Friday’s FA Cup fourth round clash at League Two outfit Yeovil.
Meanwhile, Robbie Fowler has joined the growing number of explayers who are criticising Sanchez for his performances this season, with many suggesting that he wasn’t putting enough effort in.
The former Liverpool and England striker says it sends out a poor message that players can hold clubs to ransom if they don’t want to play for them any more.
“I hate to say it, but Alexis Sanchez has shown that, if you are a great player and incredibly stroppy, then you can always get a move,” he told the Mirror.
“I like him as a player, but I loathe the way he’s behaved to force his way out of Arsenal – and I’m pretty sure a lot of his former teammates will feel the same way.
“Put it this way, it’s going to be a tester for him when they face Manchester United in April. My advice? Invest in some decent shin pads.
“Don’t get me wrong, I was no saint in my career. I got pretty stroppy at times – but it was always when I wasn’t playing.” – Daily Star