United hope to hijack City bid for Sanchez

TRANSFER: Former Barcelona striker out of contract at Emirates at end of season

Manchester United are reported to be ready to hijack any move by Manchester City for Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez.

Former Barcelona forward Sanchez, 29, is out of contract at the Emirates Stadium this summer and has been linked with a January switch to City.

However, Sky Sport Italia claims José Mourinho’s United are plotting to snatch the Chilean international from under City’s noses.

Mourinho, who said he was unlikely to buy anyone in January, recently bemoaned his club’s inability to invest up to “£700 million” in new players, claiming Premier League leaders City have the advantage of unlimited spending power.

Beating Pep Guardiola to Sanchez’s capture would therefore represent a major coup for the Old Trafford side and for Mourinho.

The reports further claim that Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been offered as a makeweight in any deal with Arsenal.

Armenia international Mkhitaryan has struggled to hold down a first-team place at Old Trafford this season and Sky Sport Italia reports that Arsenal are keen on the former Borussia Dortmund forward.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Serie A Inter Milan are also considering a loan move for Mkhitaryan.

Press Association Sport contacted both United and Arsenal with the Manchester club saying they were not aware of any bid for Sanchez, while the Gunners declined to comment.

City, meanwhile, remain tight-lipped over a potential approach for Sanchez in the current transfer window, but midfielder Kevin De Bruyne said on Wednesday he believes the player would “add something” to the squad at the Etihad.

Meanwhile, United will be back on live television in the FA Cup after their fourth-round tie with Yeovil later this month was selected for coverage.

Yeovil, 21st in League Two, are the lowest-ranked side remaining in the competition, and United’s trip to Huish Park has been moved to a Friday night and will kick-off the fourth-round action on January 26 live on BBC1.

It comes after United’s game with Derby in the previous round was also held on a Friday night but not broadcast live, ending the Red Devils’ extraordinary run of 58 consecutive televised FA Cup ties stretching back 13 years.

Picture: Getty Images. Both Manchester sides are thought to be ready to bid for Arsenal’s Chilean international striker Alexis Sanchez.

Man Utd boss José Mourinho could offer Henrikh Mkhitaryan, top, in a part-exchange deal with Arsenal for Alexis Sanchez. Man City boss Pep Guardiola, above, is thought to be keen on bringing Sanchez to the Etihad.