Update: United officially announce Sanchez arrival
Here we go- it’s now the final stages of the extremely protracted Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan transfer saga. One way or another, this will all be over shortly, most likely with both forwards wearing different shirts. Sanchez was photographed both departing to and arriving at his Manchester United football club medical examination. Upon passing the medical and agreeing to personal terms, his days as a member of Arsenal football club will officially be over.
Via the Manchester Evening News:
“Sanchez posted an Instagram Story video on Sunday morning of him boarding a private jet at Biggin Hill ahead of flying to Manchester and he has been pictured arriving at United’s Carrington training complex.”
The Chilean’s video of him getting on the plane in the snow was set to the song “No Easy Way Out” by Robert Tepper (h/t ESPN FC). If you’re a huge fan of Rocky IV, you know the song as the backing for a montage in which Rocky Balboa drives late at night and ruminates about his life, reflecting on how he got to where he is right now.
Apparently, the lyrics, “there’s no easy way out, there’s no short cut home! Giving in, giving in can be wrong!” have a struck a chord with Alexis, and he feels they apply to his situation right now.
Sanchez reportedly said goodbye to his Arsenal teammates Friday night, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan (supposedly going the other way, from United to Arsenal) also said to have given his farewells to his mates.
Alexis Sanchez?'s move to Manchester United? edges even closer, as he posts a video of himself boarding a private jet.
Live Transfer Blog: https://t.co/oa5dbjmGvD
(? via Instagram/alexis_officia1) pic.twitter.com/frzNjKuV9d
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 21, 2018
The 29-year-old’s current manager (at least for now), Arsene Wenger, said yesterday:
“I didn’t take him (to the Gunners 4-1 win over Crystal Palace) because there is a question of him moving to Manchester United. You cannot drive up north and as well play football. I expect it to happen maybe, but I cannot announce it. Because in the next 48 hours it will be decided one way or the other… It happens only one way, if the other way happens as well. That’s why it takes longer as well because it is coordinated.”
If all goes without a hitch, then we could see Sanchez make his debut in a United shirt Friday night in the FA Cup fourth round tie at Yeovil Town.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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