- Arsene Wenger says Henrikh Mkhitaryan ‘loves’ Arsenal
- A transfer swoop for the Manchester United playmaker looks close
- Mkhitaryan should be included in a swap deal involving Alexis Sanchez
- READ MORE: Manchester United legend says they’re losing a ‘fantastic’ player to Arsenal
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said that Manchester United playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan ‘loves the club’ as the Independent report a transfer could be complete within 24 hours.
The Armenia international has not always convinced in his time in the Premier League, but was regarded as one of Europe’s top playmakers during his spell at previous club Borussia Dortmund.
Arsenal could do with a signing of that calibre due to Mesut Ozil’s contract situation, with the Germany international poised to become a free agent at the end of the season.
Wenger wouldn’t comment on the likelihood of Mkhitaryan joining Arsenal this month, but said he is a fan of the 28-year-old and played down concerns over his wages.
On top of that, one of the Frenchman’s most intriguing quotes was about the Red Devils ace loving Arsenal from his time playing against them in the past.
‘If it is a possibility, it is because I like the player,’ Wenger is quoted in the Independent.
‘We played many times against him when he was at Dortmund. He certainly appreciated the quality of our game, and the way we play football. That is why certainly he loves the club as well.’
He added: ‘The wages would not be a problem.’
Mkhitaryan seems ideally suited to Arsenal’s style of play, even if he isn’t exactly a direct replacement for the departing Alexis Sanchez.
The Sun report that the Chile international has agreed on a big-money contract to move to United.