Mourinho ‘relaxed’ on Sanchez signing

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho remains relaxed about his chances of signing Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez despite reported late interest from Chelsea.

The United manager was speaking at the end of a Monday of high drama in the pursuit of the Chilean, who looks likely to leave the Emirates in the January transfer window ahead of his contract expiring at the end of the current campaign.

That will enable Arsenal to recoup some cash for the highly rated Sanchez, with United understood to have put together a package that includes midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan as part of the deal.

Sanchez had long been expected to join Manchester City, who failed in a bid to secure his services on the final day of the European summer transfer window.

City deal falls through

As recently as last week, Sanchez looked set for a reunion with his former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola at the Etihad but late on Monday saw City officially withdrew their interest, scared off apparently by the escalating fee and wage demands.

There were also reports that Chelsea have now made a late attempt to hijack the signing and Mourinho, speaking after his team defeated relegationthreatened Stoke 3-0 at Old Trafford, admitted Sanchez had attracted attention from other clubs. “I am not confident, but what’s the opposite? Not unconfident.

“Just relaxed with the feeling he is an Arsenal player, that he can stay there but also with the feeling that he can move. If he moves, I think we have a chance.”

The Portuguese added: “Most probably, a player like him, he probably has other big clubs who are interested. And who knows?

“I don’t know anything about it.”