- Henrikh Mkhitaryan has accepted a transfer to Arsenal
- This will also see Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United deal completed at last
- Mkhitaryan deal had been awaiting Mino Raiola agreement
- READ MORE: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang drops Arsenal transfer hint on Twitter
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is one step closer to becoming an Arsenal player as the transfer exchange involving Alexis Sanchez joining Manchester United reaches the ‘final stages’, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.
BBC journalist David Ornstein reported yesterday that while agreements were struck between most parties involved, they were still awaiting the green light from Mkhitaryan’s agent Mino Raiola.
Mkhitaryan deal up to Raiola. If he agrees it happens, if doesn’t it won’t. No issue with #MUFC or player. To clarify on Malcolm, reason (among a few) #AFC out was price/value relative to experience – not inexperience alone. Not sure on #THFC reports but Pochettino is a huge fan
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) January 19, 2018
It now seems terms have been accepted, as Di Marzio comments on a conclusion at Mkhitaryan’s end that will allow both moves to go through.
This looks some shrewd business by Arsenal, who land a top class international playmaker as part of a move for a player who could’ve walked away on a free transfer if he’d stayed until the end of his contract this summer.
Sanchez will no doubt be missed at the Emirates Stadium, but signing Mkhitaryan will certainly ease the blow, while other additions also look likely.
WA report that Borussia Dortmund chief Michael Zorc is heading to London for talks over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who’d make another ideal replacement for Sanchez in attack.
United have also done well to strike such a deal, bringing in one of the best forward players in Europe from a major rival and offloading a squad player arguably unsuited to their style of play in the process.
Fans will now hope for official confirmation soon after this protracted transfer saga.