Alexis Sánchez joins Manchester United, Henrikh Mkhitaryan moves to Arsenal | OneFootball

Manchester United have signed Alexis Sánchez from Arsenal in a deal which sees Henrikh Mkhitaryan move the other way.

After months of expecting the Chilean to move to rivals Manchester City, the Red Devils jumped in with a shock approach last week.

To everyone’s surprise, it worked out.

The forward’s deal at Old Trafford is expected to be worth around around £500,000-a-week.

In a statement on the club’s website, the forward admitted what a thrill it was to be signing for the Old Trafford outfit.

“I am thrilled to be joining the biggest club in the world,” he said. “The chance to play in this historic stadium and to work with José 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.”

Alexis had a move to Manchester City blocked on deadline day back in August as Arsenal failed to secure a replacement for him.

The 29-year-old was expected reunite with Pep Guardiola either this month or at the end of the season on a free transfer but will now play for José Mourinho instead.

Though this season’s Premier League title is all but out of reach for United, Alexis is still eligible to play in the Champions League.

Chile’s all-time top goalscorer, Alexis scored 80 goals in 165 appearances for Arsenal during his three-and-a-half seasons at the club.

As part of the deal, Henrikh Mkhitaryan has become an Arsenal player. An Armenian international, Mkhitaryan has had a disappointing time with Manchester United since joining from Borussia Dortmund 18 months ago.

Arsenal had tried to sign him at the time but were usurped by United.

The 28-year-old is expected to become Arsenal’s highest paid player.