Mourinho Launches £35m Sanchez Bid As United Look To Pinch Star From Under Pep's Nose

Manchester United have made a sensational attempt to hijack Alexis Sanchez’s move to Manchester City.

The transfer saga took a dramatic twist on Thursday when it emerged that United have outbid City for the Arsenal star.

The Premier League leaders are understood to have offered £20million for Sanchez, but United’s bid is closer to Arsenal’s asking price of £35m. They are also prepared to better City’s personal terms of £250,000 a week.

Jose Mourinho is ready to let Henrikh Mkhitaryan move to the Emirates as part of any deal for the Chile forward.

United’s offer was tabled last week but only came to light yesterday.

The transfer tug of war between the two Manchester giants is reminiscent of their previous battles to sign Robin van Persie, Samir Nasri and Dimitar Berbatov since the Abu Dhabi takeover of City in 2008. Despite United’s interest, City would still appear to have the upper hand on this occasion.

Despite United's interest, City would still appear to have the upper hand on this occasion.

Sanchez has been desperate to move to the Etihad as part of the City project under his old Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.

The 29-year-old would be almost certain to win his first Premier League title this season, with City 15 points clear at the top of the table, and would also be joining one of the Champions League favourites.

Nor will his decision be ruled purely by money. He could earn more by joining Paris Saint- Germain or a club in the Chinese Super League, where Hebei China Fortune were reported to be offering him £400,000 a week.

-Dailymail