Alexis Sanchez CONFIRMED: Man Utd announce deal is done, Mkhitaryan moving to Arsenal

The deal, which will see Henrikh Mkhitaryan move the opposite way from Old Trafford to the Emirates Stadium, was announced tonight in a cringe-worthy video of Sanchez playing ‘Glory glory Man United on a piano’.

It brings to an end of a week of transfer drama as United beat rivals Manchester City to get the deal done.

Speaking for the first time as a United player, Sanchez said: “I am thrilled to be joining the biggest club in the world. I have spent three-and-a-half wonderful years at Arsenal and I bring with me very positive memories of that great club and its fans. 

“The chance to play in this historic stadium and to work with Jose Mourinho was something I could not turn down. I am very proud to be the first Chilean player ever to play for United’s first team and I hope I can show our fans all around the world why the club wanted to bring me here.”

United boss Jose Mourinho added: “Alexis is one of the best attacking players in the world and he will complete our very young and talented group of attacking players. He will bring his ambition, drive and personality, qualities that make a Manchester United player and a player that makes the team stronger and the supporters proud of their club dimension and prestige.

“I would like to wish Henrikh all the success and happiness that I am sure he is going to get. He is a player that we will not forget, especially for his contribution to our Europa League victory.”

On his move, Mkhitaryan said: “I’m very happy that we could finish this deal and I’m very happy to be here. It’s a dream come true because I’ve always dreamed of playing for Arsenal. Now that I’m here, I’ll do my best for this club to create history.”

Arsene Wenger added: “Henrikh is a very complete player. He creates chances, he defends well, he can absorb distances and he’s very committed as well. I must say he’s a player who has all the attributes.”

The transfer was delayed with Sanchez and Mkhitaryan both needing work permits – and that has now been done.

Footage of Sanchez, 29, outside the Home Office building in Liverpool emerged online this afternoon. The Chile forward would have travelled there to update his work permit with details of his new employer. Mkhitaryan visited the same office.

Sanchez will earn close to £500,000 per week at Old Trafford, including bonuses and image rights.

United moved for the forward earlier this month when it became clear he wanted to leave Arsenal during the current transfer window rather than wait until he came out of contract in the summer.

Prior to that he had been expected to join City, who had a deal worth up to £60million accepted for Sanchez last August but could not complete a deal on transfer deadline day.

City considered bidding again in January but pulled out last week due to the rising costs involved. The Premier League leaders did not want to pay a fee of more than £20million while United were not only willing to meet Arsenal’s £35million asking price, but offer much higher wages.

The fee has since been cancelled out by United’s willingness to trade Mkhitaryan, who is valued at the same price, in a straight-swap deal.

Liverpool were also interested in the Chilean superstar but they withdrew their interest early when it emerged how much Sanchez was demanding.

Sanchez has scored 80 goals in 166 appearances since joining Arsenal from Barcelona in 2014.

THE TOP EARNERS IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE

Alexis Sanchez (Manchester United) – £500,000 per week

Confirmation of the Chile forward’s switch from Arsenal is still awaited but the 29-year-old will earn close to £500,000 per week before tax at Old Trafford. That is his basic wage plus image rights and bonuses.

Paul Pogba (Manchester United) – £290,000 per week

The France midfielder signed a contract worth £290,000 per week when United brought him back from Juventus in a club record £89.3million deal in 2016. He is also in line for a new contract – and pay rise – in the near future.

Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United) – £250,000 per week

United not only paid a Premier League record £75million – plus a potential further £15million in add-ons – for the striker last summer, but also agreed to pay him £250,000 per week.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United) – £220,000 per week

The Swede might be at the veteran stage of his career, but his availability on a free transfer from Paris St Germain in 2016 allowed United to hand him a huge wage packet, worth £220,000 per week.

Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) – £220,000 per week

The prolific Argentinian, who this season became City’s record goalscorer, signed his current deal in the summer of 2014. It was worth a reported £220,000 per week and City are presumably happy with their return.

Eden Hazard (Chelsea) – £220,000 per week

Belgium playmaker Hazard is Chelsea’s most influential player and is well rewarded for that, with a weekly wage worth a reported £220,000. His contract expires in 2020 but, with Real Madrid linked, there has been much talk of a new deal.

Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea) – £220,000 per week

Estimates vary, but some reports suggest the Spain midfielder signed a contract worth £220,000 per week when he joined Chelsea from Barcelona for £30million in 2014. More conservative reports suggest a pay packet of around £180,000 per week.

David de Gea (Manchester United) – £200,000 per week

After Real Madrid went close to signing him in 2015, United rewarded one of the world’s best goalkeepers with a new contract that underlined his importance, worth a reported £200,000 per week.

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – £180,000 per week

Liverpool made the Dutchman the world’s most expensive defender this month, paying Southampton £75million for a player they had long been linked with. The deal earns him £180,000 per week.

Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal) – £170,000 per week

Short of a reliable regular goalscorer, the Gunners paid a club record £52.7million for the Frenchman last summer. Reports at the time of his arrival suggested he was due to earn around £170,000 per week.