Manchester United ‘make contact with Alexis Sanchez’ as race with rivals Man City for Arsenal ace hots up
Out-of-favour Old Trafford midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been offered as part of any deal
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MANCHESTER UNITED have made contact with Arsenal rebel Alexis Sanchez over a shock move.
Sanchez, 29, looked set to be heading to the Etihad either this month or in the summer for free.
But according to , Jose Mourinho has entered the race for the Chile forward.
And out-of-favour Old Trafford playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan, 28, has reportedly been offered as part of any deal, as well as £25million.
United are not short of attacking options with Romelu Lukaku, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Zlatan Ibrahimovic capable of playing up front.
City, on the other hand, are desperate to land a new striker following the injury blow to Gabriel Jesus.
Both clubs tried to sign him before he joined Barcelona from Udinese in 2011, and again before moving to Arsenal in 2014.
Sanchez has his heart set on a reunion with former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola at City.
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The Premier League leaders are reluctant to meet Arsenal's £35m asking price but hope to find a compromise.
Should United enter the fray, it could force City to up their offer.
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Sanchez, whose Arsenal contract runs out at the end of the season, was benched for last night's 0-0 Carabao Cup semi-final draw at Chelsea.
But Emirates boss Arsene Wenger insists he is "committed" to the Gunners.
He said: "The team selection had nothing to do with the transfer market. People don't know Alexis. This is a guy who is completely focused to play football and gives 100 per cent.
"I've picked over 1,000 teams and sometimes get it wrong but I do not have to justify every decision I make.
"Does he sign (for Arsenal) now or does he sign in June? What is important is the next game and that you can rely on him.
"His commitment does not depend on the duration of his contract.
"I want him to stay for longer because he's a very important player for us."
City midfield ace Kevin De Bruyne hinted it was a matter of 'when' and not 'if' Sanchez joins him.
He said: "When he comes he will add something to the team. He's a very good player."
Sanchez signed for Arsenal in 2014 for £35m.
He has scored 30 goals and made 17 assists in three-and-a-half seasons at the Emirates.