Alexis Sanchez latest: Henrikh Mkhitaryan's agent puts Manchester United's move for Arsenal star in doubt
He claimed that it is Sanchez who is the makeweight in Mkhitaryan’s transfer to Arsenal, and not the other way around
Alexis Sanchez will not join Manchester United unless Henrikh Mkhitaryan moves to Arsenal, claims the Armenian’s agent Mino Raiola.
The Independent reported that United’s pursuit of Sanchez was “75 per cent completed” on Monday night as Mkhitaryan discussed terms with the Gunners as part of a swap deal.
Mkhitaryan is understood to favour a return to the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund over staying in the Premier League and joining Arsenal.
Manchester United's January transfer targets
Show all 7However, Raiola has now insisted it is Sanchez who is the makeweight in Mkhitaryan’s transfer to Arsenal, and not the other way around.
“Manchester United are not going to sign Sánchez unless Mkhi agrees to join Arsenal,” he told The Times.
“Mkhi is going to do what is best for him. He has two-and-a-half years left on his contract, so it’s his decision. “Sánchez is part of the Mkhi deal, not the other way around.”
It is still thought that the Sanchez deal will go ahead even if Mkhitaryan opts against moving to the Emirates and The Independent reported that it could actually see Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang join Arsenal instead.
The German club have had problems with the Gabonese international this season, having dropped him twice, but could only afford an alternative if he left, and that would then free up the budget to resign Mkhitaryan.
Up until now, there has been too great a distance between Mkhitaryan's wage demands and Dortmund's position, with Raiola determined to get him as good a deal as possible. That is an issue that has also arisen between Mkhitaryan and Arsenal.
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