Reports today suggest Alexis Sanchez’s move to Manchester United is stalling because Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan does not fancy joining Arsenal in a swap deal.
Prior to United’s attempt to hijack Manchester City’s move for Alexis, it was reported that Arsenal wanted £35million for the Chilean. That’s hardly changed since Ed Woodward went knocking but knowing our vice-executive chairman, anything is possible when he conducts football business.
But, in all seriousness, I don’t think Mkhitaryan holds the key to this transfer like his agent Mino Raiola suggests. It may speed up the transfer and make it less stressful if the former Borussia Dortmund playmaker took the bait and moved to London, but we believe his favourable destination is back in Dortmund and away from the Premier League.
Speculation intensified on Monday when the 28-year-old playmaker was left out of the squad to face Stoke City, with Jose Mourinho admitting that he wasn’t left out due to tactical reasons. The boss couldn’t be blunter about the situation.
Mkhitaryan began the season well but has struggled to reach the levels he showed and it was no secret that he and Mourinho didn’t see eye-to-eye last season. Chilean news outlet, El Mercurio, has suggested Mkhitaryan is not sold on the idea of playing for Arsenal.
Arsenal are no longer a Champions League side and they’re not exactly making efforts to resurrect that status by selling their best player. Mkhitaryan, after winning the Europa League last season with United, understandably wants to prove his worth at the top like his current teammates and Arsene Wenger is unable to deliver that in 2018.
But, are Dortmund in a much better position? That’s up for argument so we came up with an agreement to make everyone happy! Mkhitaryan has an emotional attachment with Borussia Dortmund having already played for the Bundesliga giants, whose best player, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, is trying to force an exit with Arsenal viewing the Gabonese striker as a potential replacement for Sanchez.
So, in theory, this may work: Sanchez to United while Mkhitaryan returns to Dortmund, who allow Aubameyang head to The Emirates.
Let’s try settle this merry-go-round so everyone can go their separate ways and spare us the tiresome bullshit: Sanchez to United, Mkhitaryan to Dortmund and Aubameyang to Arsenal.
— Dale O’Donnell (@ODonnellDale) January 16, 2018
The Sun understands that both Arsenal and United want Mkhitaryan to be part of the deal, but I couldn’t care less about Aubameyang as long as we get our man. Mkhitaryan, however, is on ridiculous money at Old Trafford and is unlikely to get anywhere near the same amount elsewhere which may result in a stumbling block.
Anyhow, sit tight and fasten your seatbelt. This transfer saga produces more twists than your favourite Netflix series.
