When Alexis Sanchez moved to Arsenal and when Arturo Vidal was rumoured to be moving to Manchester United, and then the Gunners, the Chilean press were all over it.
Even last summer when Sanchez was supposed to be off to Manchester City, claims from Chile were fresh and regular.
It hasn’t really been like that this time. For a while it was clearly assumed in Chile that Sanchez would be signing for Manchester City, with it just being a question of when, and Manchester United being dragged into the race just led to lots of articles saying ‘according to the English media’.
Monday sees El Mercurio change that slightly. The Chilean newspaper have an article going over the situation and don’t credit the media of any other country. Usually the Chilean media do, so it’s a suggestion it could be El Mercurio’s own information.
It’s stated Sanchez has ‘an irresistible offer’ from Manchester United which would make him the best paid player in the Premier League. They point out he’s also been offered the club’s famous number 7 shirt, something El Mercurio see as special.
Sanchez is ‘closer and closer’ to becoming a Manchester United player, and El Mercurio reckon they know why a deal hasn’t already been closed. Henrikh Mkhitaryan ‘is not very enthralled’ at the idea of signing for Arsenal, say the Chilean newspaper.
Arsene Wenger’s team ‘has a very low level’ and Mkhitaryan isn’t impressed with the wages on offer at Arsenal. The Mkhitaryan situation ‘could open a small window’ and allow Manchester City back into the transfer.
Despite that doubt, El Mercurio say ‘everything indicates’ Alexis Sanchez will become a Red Devil.
