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Manchester United confirm Alexis Sanchez transfer deal for Arsenal star

Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal, marking another high-profile transfer coup for Jose Mourinho.

The deal finally brings a close to the long-running saga surrounding the 29-year-old’s future, with Arsenal reluctantly letting the Chile forward go rather than lose him for nothing this summer after Sanchez refused to sign a contract extension in north London.

The deal - a straight swap which sees Henrikh Mkhitaryan head to the Emirates in exchange - comes after United rebuffed Arsenal's early interest in seeing Anthony Martial potentially included as part of the move.

Sanchez has looked a shadow of himself this season, with Standard Sport reporting earlier this season that some in the Arsenal dressing room had grown tired of his attitude - and that of Mesut Ozil - and displays of frustration on the pitch.

The deal represents another big win in the market for Mourinho, who surprised many in last's summer window when he secured Romelu Lukaku for £75million from under the nose of his former club Chelsea.

Speaking about his transfer, Sanchez said: "I am thrilled to be joining the biggest club in the world.

"I have spent three-and-a-half wonderful years at Arsenal and I bring with me very positive memories of that great club and its fans.

"The chance to play in this historic stadium and to work with Jose Mourinho was something I could not turn down.

"I am very proud to be the first Chilean player ever to play for United’s first team and I hope I can show our fans all around the world why the club wanted to bring me here."

It has been clear for some time that Sanchez would be leaving the Emirates this month, but all signs had been pointing to Manchester City where he would have linked up with Pep Guardiola.

Sanchez had been set to sign for City in a £60m deal on deadline day last summer, only for Arsenal to pull the plug after failing to sign £92m Thomas Lemar from Monaco as a replacement.

Mourinho has played the financial card, offering both Arsenal and the Chilean more than their rivals in the east end of Manchester were prepared to pay.