HENRIKH MKHITARYAN now holds the key in Manchester United’s bid to land Alexis Sanchez after Chelsea cooled their interest.
United are willing to trade Mkhitaryan in a straight swap deal for Sanchez but the Armenia international’s agent Mino Raiola said his client will only go if he is happy with the contract offered by Arsenal.
He also wants to see if the Gunners succeed in signing his former Borussia Dortmund team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubayemang.
Mkhitaryan, 28, has two-and-a-half years left on his Old Trafford contract – worth around £20m – and is likely to demand a “golden goodbye” payment because he hasn’t asked to leave.
Raiola made it clear the player will not be bullied into the move by saying: “United are not going to sign Sanchez unless Mkhi agrees to join Arsenal. He 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.
“Sanchez is part of Mkhi’s deal. Not the other way around. Without him, Sanchez simply cannot go to United.”
Raiola, an influential figure at Old Trafford because he also represents Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, added: “Mkhi’s problems at United are purely related to playing football. He has no problem with the manager. It is not personal.
“He doesn’t have to leave. At this moment the chances of a move to Arsenal are low, but life is dynamic.
“This is a great deal for Arsenal. They need better, younger players and they have to invest. So it’s up to Arsenal to put a deal in place and right now a deal is a long way off.”
Raiola insisted Mkhitaryan was not the “makeweight” and that any deal would be a straight swap with no cash involved because both players are valued at £35m – despite Sanchez having only six months left on his contract.
The Gunners wanted Mkhitaryan when United signed him from Dortmund for £28m in the summer of 2016. He played a big part in United’s Europa League success last season but after a bright start to this season, his form has tailed off to the extent that Mourinho accused him of “disappearing” in games.
He has started only two of United’s last 16 games in all competitions and has even been left out of the 18-man match squad on several occasions.
Meanwhile, Antonio Conte confirmed Sanchez will not be crossing London to Stamford Bridge.
The Chelsea boss said: “I like to talk about a situation that could be real. Now it is not important to talk about Sanchez. Not important. Because he’s not our good problem, so why do I have to waste words on nothing?”
When asked to confirm it is irrelevant because Chelsea will not sign Sanchez, Conte replied: “Yes, yes.”
Source:www.express.co.uk