Alexis Sanchez | Done deal

[Djemba-Djemba]

It's weird how all these journalists who were adamant Sanchez was definitely going to City and didn't even acknowledge us as a possibility suddenly now know of the intricacies of the negotiations.

It's almost like they all know feck all.

 

[Kapardin]

Losing Martial would be crazy.

Even that article says it is Wenger inquiring about Martial and not us offering him. Obviously Martial being French and young is very attractive for Wenger.

The article also says Arsenal are only exploring that possibility and may even be content with just cash and no player. So people can relax, Jose's got this.

 

[DWelbz19]

The article says we are offering Mkhitaryan but Wenger is interested in Martial. We obviously aren’t offering him, nor would we ever sell him to Arsenal.

 

[Hawks2008]

Just wanna see what bullshit Gollum Ballbag will tweet when he signs...

 

[Thisistheone]

Would Sanchez mean no Griezmann in the summer?

I think so, from what Jose said. Along the lines of if we needed a defender, midfielder and forward in the summer but we sign a forward now then it'll only be 2 players in the summer.

Alexis for 25m sounds like a great saving and would hopefully allow us to spend big on a defender and midfielder instead.

 

[izec]

Just walk away from the deal, feck Arsenal

 

[sjw2511]

Yep - as soon as the terminology "edging ahead" and "favourites" is rolled out, it usually ends up going one way.

Hopefully I'm wrong and its different this time.

 

[IAmAWinner]

The cheek of Wenger to suggest Martial. We get Alexis and they our Armenian flop. Arsenal are our bitches, so we decide.

 

[edgar allan]

Lets all try and calm be a bit more Zen about this all.
If we sign him that is great but if he does not want to play for us then let's wish him well and move on.

Sure, We can still play Miki for the rest of the year......on second thoughts panic!!

 

[Henrik Larsson]

Not even a cannae take the strain, just a blank page

I'm curious how this transfer would financially compare to signing someone like Griezmann (now or in the summer). Griezmann will be 27 years old in three months after all. Would probably cost us between 115 and 150 million. Sanchez literally just turned 29, will cost 30 million + 15/20 million in agent fees? But based on Pogba's transfer there might be a very big fee for the agent of Griezmann too if he'd signed.

So it's 50 million + massive wages for 2 years until Sanchez is 31 old.
Or it's 130/160 million + massive wages for 4.5 years until Griezmann is 31.

It's a pretty weird situation where forking out 50 million on transfer and agent fees for a 29 year old with 6 months on his contract is actually a reasonable deal given the signing costs of a player of a similar calibre.

 

[minoo-utd]

The feck with The media really? All these nonsense wouldn't have happened if it was between City and Pool right?

Since when that Oil club become something big? Because they are only winning the league this year! Why the media insisting to forget that all that City propaganda was made by MONEY and only money?

 

[Adebesi]

No way should be consider letting Martial go.

 

[RedDevilRoshi]

Martial ain’t going anywhere, particularly to that declining club.

Just another clueless journalist trying to create a story out of thin air.

 

[tomaldinho1]

Just wanna see what bullshit Gollum Ballbag will tweet when he signs...

'As I predicted but kept secret, Sanchez moves to United. It was not the move he wanted but the move he needed - I was in close contact with player + agent and instructed to keep the details secret although I can confirm a strong financial package plus incentives for the Chilean.'

 

[Mister_Stubbs]

BIG BREAKING NEWS on Sky Sports News.. Paul Lambert new Stoke boss. Bit of an anticlimax.

 

[Acquire Me]

People who entertain the thought that Martial can be part of the Alexis deal must have a word with themselves.

 

[TsuWave]

cue hysteria regarding the martial fake news

 

[Random Task]

People who entertain the thought that Martial can be part of the Alexis deal must have a word with themselves.

It will never happen.

They can take Mhki if they want.

 

[J-Stander]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Martial no chance.

 

[Kapardin]

Man, I can't wait any longer for this to be announced. Its' fecking excruciating. I want to start imagining him playing for us, announce him already.

 

[WPMUFC]

Tweet

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From a tweet thread earlier in the day. Sam Lee is convinced that City's bid is finished.

 

[JustFootballFan]

Martial no chance.

After the last 24 hours Arsenal fans had, they deserve a little bit of (false) hope.

 

[SuperiorXI]

Martial? Journos on glue this whole saga.

 

[Ødegaard]

I think so, from what Jose said. Along the lines of if we needed a defender, midfielder and forward in the summer but we sign a forward now then it'll only be 2 players in the summer.

Alexis for 25m sounds like a great saving and would hopefully allow us to spend big on a defender and midfielder instead.

He talked about a hypothetical scenario of "let's say we plan on buying a cb, cm and attacker, we get the attacker in January and don't have to think about that for the summer window".
I get that people want to read between the lines, but what he ultimately said was about a hypothetical scenario.

That said, I believe us signing Griezmann/Dybala would be down to a lot of factors, like money available, priority if targets, how well Lingard, Rashford and Martial develops and how Sanchez potentially would settle, If Özil comes on a free transfer or if we can find a second midfielder able to do the Pogba job offensively for us.

 

[el3mel]

I don't think we'll even lose Mikhi. We'll get Sanchez for money only imo, while Arsenal will get Malcom.

 

[Norris]

Been doing some scouting of Sanchez, and trying to figure out where we should play him and get the best out of him and the current side too.

Current position at Arsenal

At Arsenal, he plays inside left/second striker.. pretty much where Martial operates and where Lingard does too. Which at first glance presents a bit of a problem as that is where we are strongest, and those two are our biggest threats. No doubt, Sanchez is superior to either so if that is 100% his best position, the other two would have to move around to adapt.

Current position (Chile)

For Chile he used to play on the right, like at Barca but with more freedom to come in and playmake.. bit like Mata but combined with Nani if that makes sense. These days, he's more of a LW/10.. bit like at Arsenal but more direct.

Where will he play at United?

Its a tough one to call. I have seen calls to play him at striker.. but honestly, he drops very deep to even play as a false 9 and I don't think he has enough goals in him to put him as our de facto striker and older he gets, less pace he will have to be the lone forward. Therefore I see him operating behind a 9 for sure.

Now, is it behind the striker or on the right/left where we will see him. Once again, I would argue that whilst we should try and use him down the right in combination with Valencia.. the chances are, he will ask to be used in a free role.. more to the left and behind the striker. Which means either he takes Martials place down the left, or Lingards (who would shift to the right temporarily or be benched by end of the season).

I personally think Martial and Sanchez up top as a duo would be deadly, as a counter-attacking duo that is pretty scary. Him and Lukaku, would be decent but if we want the best out of Sanchez.. we need a fluid set up with plenty of runners, one-touch passing ala Chile/Arsenal. Making it too static would not suit him and would limit his impact.

So initially..

Martial Lukaku Sanchez
Lingard
Pogba Matic
​

With Sanchez interchanging Lingard, and if we get a RW this window.. Sanchez going central I think.

Martial Lukaku Lucas
Sanchez
Pogba Matic​

Really tough to envision how his role will pan out and what signings we get. All I know is that the key is to build around him, as he is at his best when you don't put him in chains.

​

Who's Lucas ?

And yeah I agree, Sanchez and martial upfront as a duo would be deadly, but that would resort to a change in formation. Maybe Jose could do it against Spurs or Chelsea, although that again depends on how they plan to play.


Disagree about the Key being to build around him though. Yes, balls going in his direction should be a norm, but key is always going to be Pogba. Imagine the burden lifted off his shoulders when he always has an option in Alexis Fecking Sanchez.

 

[ThatsGreat]

I'd give Sanchez+30m for Martial. Confident Wenger can develop him into a world class talent. It'll be best for all parties involved, if Sanchez moves to Utd then that kills martials game time.

 

[Silas]

That article is pure speculation. If Alexis is being valued at 35m, where would Martial, who'd go for at least twice that in this market, come into the equation?

 

[SirAF]

After the last 24 hours Arsenal fans had, they deserve a little bit of (false) hope.

Nah. Crush 'em

 

[red4ever 79]

It will never happen.

They can take Mhki if they want.

And/or Mata

 

[TsuWave]

Martial? Journos on glue this whole saga.

getting attention as a journalist is pretty easy these days. a twitter account with a blue tick and hyperactive imagination and you're good to go

 

[jungledrums]

It is a myth mate. Through all merchandise we earn 40-50 mil per year. Long story short, shirt sale is basically payed to us through adidas sponsor deal.
From direct sale we have maybe 5 % of every shirt sold( this part i am just guessing).

Ha, I know mate, should’ve used the good old white text.

 

[minoo-utd]

No chance Martial involved in this, maybe Mkhitaryan but I doubt that there will be any player involved.

 

[Ish]

People who entertain the thought that Martial can be part of the Alexis deal must have a word with themselves.

Amen.

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

Do Arsenal fans honestly think Martial to Arsenal is a remote possibility?

Dearie me.

 

[Thecarrickfan_2016]

I hope we hear something about the deal after tonight's game.

 

[Pexbo]

The Martial link is just coming from AFTV suggesting it and Journos knowing that is what will earn clicks from both sets of fans and neutrals alike.

 

[United_We_Stand]

Tweet

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[SuperiorXI]

getting attention as a journalist is pretty easy these days. a twitter account with a blue tick and hyperactive imagination and you're good to go

It is as though they just make shit up... all day... and get paid for it?

 

[United Pro]

Do Arsenal fans honestly think Martial to Arsenal is a remote possibility?

Dearie me.

They're hopeful for sure, but the sensible ones know that it isn't realistic.