ARSENAL should request Anthony Martial in exchange for Alexis Sanchez rather than Henrikh Mkhitaryan – even if it costs them £50m extra, according to Charlie Nicholas.
The Sanchez and Mkhitaryan deal is believed to be close although the midday deadline of today means neither player will make their debuts this weekend.
Manchester United have agreed a four-and-a-half-year deal worth around £500,000 a week for Sanchez.
Meanwhile Mkhitaryan has arrived at United’s Carrington training base this morning although it is not clear if he is there to train or clear out his things.
But former Arsenal striker Nicholas thinks Arsenal should be getting Martial in exchange despite Paul Merson’s praise for the Armenia star.
“I know Merse is a massive fan of Mkhitaryan and I appreciate he is efficient and a decent team player,” Nicholas said on Sky Sports.
“Would I take the deal? Yes, I would. But to be totally honest I’d much rather pay an additional £50m to get Martial.
“I think if Arsenal would say to Martial: ‘You can be the next Thierry Henry.’ Arsenal made £30m on selling Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, £20m on Theo Walcott, so go all-in; forget Malcom or other players who may or may not be good prospects, go all-in and give him what he wants financially.
“In the summer Arsenal were willing to take Raheem Sterling but Martial is a far better player and could become one of the best in the world.
“I would hope Arsene Wenger would be talking to his agent, who will already know he is going to struggle for playing time majorly with Sanchez arriving, and saying, ‘Come here where we’ll build the team around him.'”
It is understood Wenger did ask United about Martial but were told he was not available.
And Wenger has spoken glowingly about Mkhitaryan ahead of the deal.
“Of course [I like him]. If it’s a possibility it’s because I like the player,” Wenger said.
“We played many times against him when he was at Dortmund so he’s certainly appreciated the quality of our games and the way we play football so that’s why certainly he loves the club.
“This would be an exchange of players and I think one would replace the other. Are we still on the transfer market after that? Yes.”
Source:www.express.co.uk