Arsenal news: Alexis Sanchez ‘likely’ to join Manchester United with Henrikh Mkhitaryan coming other way, reveals Arsene Wenger
The Chilean is expected to seal a switch to Jose Mourinho's side in a staggering £505,000-a-week deal
ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has revealed Alexis Sanchez is 'likely' to join Manchester United in the next 24 hours - with Henrikh Mkhitaryan coming the other way.
The 29-year-old has snubbed the Gunners' contract offers with just six-months left on his deal, forcing them to flog him for £35million to their bitter rivals.
Wenger said when asked about Sanchez: "Yes, it is likely to happen. Any minute things can break down.
"That’s how the transfer market is. These things are never guaranteed. It can happen, it can as well not happen.
"It is as that stage. If it does not happen, he will play on Saturday."
The Arsenal chief also confirmed Mkhitaryan, 28, will be moving to the Emirates in the deal, while dismissing talk of signing Bordeaux winger Malcom, 20, this month.
He added: "Yes that is my understanding. I like the player."
"The wages will not be a problem."
Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been linked with a January move to Arsenal.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
Gunners coach Jens Lehmann was pictured flying back from Dortmund on Tuesday and Aubameyang, 28, has reportedly begged the German club to let him leave.
Wenger said: "I have nothing to add to that. This kind of thing is better when it's secret.
"You announce it when it's over the line. Nothing else [other than Sanchez] is close."
Dortmund dropped Aubameyang for Sunday's 0-0 draw against Wolfsburg after he missed training.
Manager Michael Zorc hinted the forward could be sold after insisting he would not tolerate Aubameyang's behaviour.
But when asked whether he could fit in with his "big" character, Wenger said: "Yes, a character can be very positive or very negative.
"Overall you look at achievement over career and if he has done well the character has been used in a positive way."
Jack Wilshere is out of contract and yet to sign a new deal.
The player insists he wants to stay and Wenger confirmed contract talks have begun.
He said: "We want him to stay. He wants to stay. We have to find satisfying financial agreement and that’s what we’re trying to do."
And Wenger reassured fans that contract rebel Mesut Ozil will not be going this window, while offering nothing on a possible move for West Brom defender Jonny Evans.
Theo Walcott completed his £20m Everton transfer yesterday, joining Francis Coquelin as a January outgoing.
Wenger insists he "regrets" the way Walcott left.
He said: "I am very attached to Theo because he is intelligent, has integrity, total focus on his job.
"I remember he arrived here at 16 and went to the World Cup straight away.
"He scored important goals [for Arsenal] in big games, in finals.
"I regret what happened but he didn’t play enough recently but I thank him and he is always welcome here."
Arsenal host Crystal Palace on Saturday looking to close the gap on fourth-placed Tottenham.
They will be without youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who has impressed in recent weeks, but are likely to welcome back Ozil, Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal.
Wenger said: "Maitland-Niles has flu. We should have Koscielny and Monreal back and available for Saturday. Maybe Ozil back, he should be back as well."