Wenger: Sanchez "likely" to join United

A swap deal with Mkhitaryan is close to completion

Author: Rich StephensonPublished 18th Jan 2018
Last updated 19th Jan 2018

Article by Rich Stephenson

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed a deal to take Alexis Sanchez to United is “likely” to happen.

The striker, who is out of contract in June, has been linked to both Manchester clubs, with City pulling out of the chase earlier this week.

Wenger said: “I’ve worked on transfers for 30 years, so it is likely to happen. But, any moment, any minute, things can break down. That’s how the transfer market is.”

The 29 year old is thought to be joining United in an exchange deal with Henrikh Mkhitaryan heading south.

Wenger admitted his admiration for the United midfielder and that wages would not be a problem.

“It’s a possibility, because I like the player. We’ve played many times against him when he was at Dortmund. So he appreciated the quality of our games and the way we play football.”

The developments come after Mourinho revealed that Mkhitarayan was left out against Stoke on Monday due to mounting transfer rumours.

The reds manager said: “I understand that with so much talk and so much speculation, it is not easy for Mkhitaryan to play."