MANCHESTER: Chile forward Alexis Sanchez joined Manchester United on Monday in a rare swap deal among two of England’s top teams that saw midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan move to Arsenal.

The 29-year-old Sanchez, who was out of contract at Arsenal at the end of the season, has joined the Old Trafford club after local rivals Manchester City had pulled out of the race.

Sanchez, who will wear United’s iconic No 7 shirt, has signed what is believed to be a four-and-a-half-year contract that will make him the highest-paid player in the Premier League.

It has been widely reported that Sanchez will earn a pre-tax salary of 500,000 ($695,000, 567,000 euros) a week.

Armenia international winger Mkhitaryan, who turned 29 on Sunday, will head to the Emirates after he fell out of favour with United manager Jose Mourinho during 18 months at Old Trafford.

Sanchez joined Arsenal for 31.7 million in 2014 after three years at Barcelona but his relationship with the Gunners soured after he tried to orchestrate a move to City last year.

“I am thrilled to be joining the biggest club in the world,” said Sanchez. “The chance to play in this historic stadium [Old Trafford] and to work with (United manager) 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.”

The transfers of the players were announced simultaneously, with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger saying Mkhitaryan was a “very complete player”.

“It’s a dream come true,” Mkhitaryan said, “because I’ve always dreamed of playing for Arsenal.”

No financial details were disclosed, but United said Mkhitaryan was joining as “part of the deal” to bring Sanchez to Old Trafford.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2018