Henrikh Mkhitaryan is the final piece of the puzzle in Manchester United’s deal for Alexis Sanchez, but Arsenal aren’t close to an agreement with the Armenian.
According to the BBC’s David Ornstein, neither Arsenal nor United will approve a deal for Alexis to join the Red Devils unless Mkhitaryan is going the other way. The Chilean has agreed personal terms with Jose Mourinho’s men, but the Armenian hasn’t made a decision yet.
No agreement in place or close for Mkhitaryan to join Arsenal from Man Utd in Sanchez swap. He holds key & still mulling over #AFC / other clubs / staying #MUFC – if agrees to Arsenal, can happen quickly. Doesn’t see eye to eye with Mourinho but not desperate to go at all costs pic.twitter.com/n95zzQzYdg
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) January 16, 2018
Clearly Arsenal want to ensure they have some kind of replacement before the Chilean leaves. That was the club’s position in the summer, when Man City’s deal fell through because the Gunners couldn’t sign Monaco’s Thomas Lemar. The same appears to be true now.
Mourinho never seemed to take to Mkhitaryan as a Manchester United player. The 28-year-old had an incredible season for Dortmund before leaving, scoring 23 goals and assisting 32 in 52 matches (48 starts), but the United boss has only started him in 46 games in over one-and-a-half seasons.
Arsene Wenger has some work to do to prove Arsenal are an attractive destination though. At the moment the Gunners seem to be in the midst of a crisis, so that can’t be appealing. Hopefully the appeal of consistent game-time should help.
If the club can convince Aubameyang to join, that might help the former Dortmund star make up his mind. For now, it’s a waiting game while the midfielder mulls things over.