All he wants to do is play! It’s something you hear constantly about Alexis Sanchez and it’s true, but he’s not above wanting to do that for the highest amount possible like all the others.
His dream, we have been told all season, is to go to Manchester City where he can win trophies alongside Pep. The reality is he’s leaving to join Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.
Some say this is a damming indictment of Arsenal – that Alexis would rather leave for United now, abandoning his City dream just to escape Arsenal – and while there is plenty to damn Arsenal with, this is not one of those things.
Alexis was set for City until his agent got greedy and not only doubled the fee he wanted to £10m but upped the wages he wants for Alexis too. It’s likely to be the Chilean’s last big contract (although that’s less likely now he’s heading to United as they offer stupid contracts to old players) so wanting to get as much as possible is only natural.
Despite all the rumours that Arsenal would offer him a mega salary increase, they were simply never going to get near the £300kpw he will reportedly earn at United.
It’s not like Alexis would have been made a pauper had he stayed at Arsenal or opted to follow his dream for a slightly lower mega salary at City. He would have earned a bumper payrise in London and City, but nothing close to what he will get at United.
Footballers, like the rest of us, like to earn as much money as they can. Given their short career spans, Alexis’ move is more than understandable.
But let’s not dress this up as anything other than it is – a player moving for money and nothing else.