Who wins if Arsenal swap Sanchez for Mkhitaryan?
It’s no surprise that Alexis Sanchez is leaving the Emirates. His contract is running down and has 6 months left. Arsenal can either use a lacklustre Alexis Sanchez, who is world class when he wants to be for 6 months. And then he leaves for free. Or they could opt out now and get some return.
Arsenal are in eight points off 4th spot and don’t look like taking 5th to qualify for the Europa League either. They got knocked out by Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup early on. They are in the semi-finals of the League Cup, but have to face Chelsea and either Manchester City or Bristol City (who shouldn’t be discounted) in the final.
Their only chance of success this season is to catch up with Spurs and Liverpool to challenge for European football. Or, go all in on the Europa League, win some established silverware and qualify for the Champions League. Not an easy task though.
At the beginning of the season, a simulation said that Sanchez was worth 3 points to Arsenal’s season. I don’t take this as gospel but is an interesting view.
I don’t have much hope for Arsenal’s season. If Sanchez doesn’t leave this window, he knows he’s leaving in summer and isn’t going to be motivated at Arsenal. You may have Sanchez in your team but he may only be at 50–70% of what he can do. Therefore I believe that Arsenal should opt out now and get some return on him. The alternative is dire.
Swap deals in football are rare. They’re complicated and tend to result in a winner and a loser. Trades using players are the norm in US sports but I could name very few players involved in swaps in football, and they involve money alongside.
Manchester City were the favourites and Chelsea are trying to move in and steal Sanchez from Guardiola.
Today it’s been heavily reported that Manchester United want to trade the Chilean for Mkhitaryan. Arsenal seem keen and is an interesting transfer.
First of all, I’ve seen some comments about wages. United will be offloading Mkhitaryan’s massive wages and replacing them with Sanchez’s. Manchester United can probably afford it judging by the tweet below.
Mkhitaryan and Sanchez are both similar ages so that can be removed from the equation really. Sanchez is regarded as being a lot better and is a very distinguished player who scored 24 league goals last season. Whereas, Mkhitaryan has struggled in Manchester so far.
Arsenal should offload Sanchez while they can. They are rumoured to be receiving £20–35m for him from Manchester City or Chelsea. In today’s market that won’t go that far.
Mkhitaryan could be worth £50m in the market. Thats £15–30m of value that Arsenal are gaining. And they have an immediate replacement for Sanchez, rather than taking time to get Malcom or Lemar, etc.
Mkhitaryan is also very good. He may not have the goalscoring that Sanchez gives to Arsenal but he will supply Lacazette, Giroud, etc.
Arsenal don’t have much choice. Their arm is being twisted. This deal is making the best of a bad situation for them.
United also benefit of course. They get rid of a player that they no longer want and get a world class replacement in return. Their wages will be similar. And Sanchez is a marquee signing who has proven he can light up the Premier League.
Both teams benefit from this deal. Arsenal is being forced into it but this is possibly the best they can get.
Now we wait to see if Mkhitaryan actually wants to move to Arsenal. He is who will ultimately decide if the deal happens.
