Jose Mourinho update on Alexis Sanchez's move to Man United

Posted Sunday, January 21, 2018 by 101 GREAT GOALS

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has this evening provided a brief update on his side's move for Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez.

Saga

The story surrounding the future of Chilean international Sanchez was one of the talking points of the summer transfer window, with all of Bayern Munich, PSG, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City having expressed an interest in the 29-year-old.

A deadline day move to the Etihad to join up with former boss Pep Guardiola was labelled as 'imminent' by a number of outlets at the end of August, but, in the end, a move failed to materialise, mainly due to Arsenal's inability to secure a deal for Monaco winger Thomas Lemar.

Suitors

As a result, Sanchez was left with no choice but to stay put in North London, though it had still long been widely predicted that the South American would depart the Emirates, either this month for a nominal fee or for free in the summer upon the expiration of his contract.

Manchester City maintained their status as the leading contenders for his signature up until last weekend, when Manchester United were also confirmed to have tabled an offer for Arsenal's star man.

And, as per a number of updates in the days since, the Red Devils have moved firmly into the driver's seat for Sanchez (City have abandoned their move altogether), with Gianluca Di Marzio and several other leading journalists having claimed that the South American's absence from Arsenal's squad to face Bournemouth last Sunday was due to him having agreed terms over an imminent move to Old Trafford.

Inching closer

United have since been left with the task of reaching an agreement with Arsenal, with Ed Woodward and co. long known to have offered up midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan to the Gunners as part of their bid.

The deal looked to have taken huge strides forward yesterday when news spread that both Sanchez and 'Mkhi' had said their goodbyes to their respective teammates, with Gianluca Di Marzio having confirmed this afternoon that both deals are now down to 'the final details':

'So close'

And, speaking in an interview a short time ago following his side's hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burnley, Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho provided an update on the deal, revealing his opinion that the Red Devils' negotiating team 'will be successful'.

Jose on Sanchez: "Expect soon or never. So close, so close, so close, if it doesn't happen it is not going to happen. I know my people doing absolutely everything they can. I think they will be successful."
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) January 20, 2018