Manchester United January transfer news LIVE: Alexis waits on work permit to complete move

Alexis waits on work permit to complete move

Alexis Sanchez just needs to change his work permit before finalising his move to Manchester United, according to the BBC .

The Chilean jetted into Manchester on Sunday to undergo a medical ahead of completing his switch to United in a deal which will see Henrikh Mkhitaryan head in the opposite direction to Arsenal.
Both players now need to switch their work permits so they can play for their new clubs, although Alexis will have to leave Manchester temporarily to get this done.

Mata happy at Man Utd

Juan Mata is happy at Manchester United and has no plans to leave the club at the end of the season, reports Superdeporte .
United have yet to exercise their 12-month option to extend Mata’s contract and the Spaniard is free to discuss a deal with clubs outside of England.
The 29-year-old has been linked with a return to former club Valencia amid concerns for his place in the team ahead of Alexis Sanchez’s impending arrival, but the playmaker intends to spend at least another year at Old Trafford.

West Ham watch Dendoncker

West Ham assistant manager Stuart Pearce watched Anderlecht midfielder Leander Dendoncker against Genk on Sunday, reports Het Laatste Nieuws .
Dendoncker played as a centre-back in the game, but Hammers boss David Moyes views the 22-year-old as someone who will play in midfield.
Manchester United have held a long-standing interest in Dendoncker, with Anderlecht recently insisting only an ‘insane’ bid will persuade them to sell in the January transfer window.

Alexis pictured in Man Utd shirt after passing medical

A picture which allegedly shows Alexis Sanchez posing in a Manchester United shirt circulated after the Manchester Evening News reported he had passed a medical at the club.

Alexis is poised to complete his move to Old Trafford in a deal which will see United playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan head to Arsenal in a swap.
Following Alexis's medical on Sunday, Manchester United editor for the MEN, Samuel Luckhurst, later posted a photo of the Chilean in his new kit on Twitter.

The image suggests that Alexis will keep his No.7 shirt upon leaving Arsenal, and will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and David Beckham at United.

'Alexis snubbed City because United are miles bigger'

Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez has opted for Manchester United over Manchester City because the Red Devils are "miles bigger" than the runaway Premier League leaders, according to Paul Ince.

Sanchez is poised to join United having snubbed Pep Guardiola and City , although some past players and pundits have claimed the Chilean's decision is based on money .

However, former United midfielder Ince insisted City simply cannot compete with the history of their rivals – the 20-time English champions.

Wenger: Alexis is leaving for money

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has claimed they had "no chance" of keeping Alexis Sanchez and suggested the forward is chasing money by joining Manchester United.

The 29-year-old is expected to finalise his move to Old Trafford in the next 48 hours after apparently undergoing a medical on Sunday, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan heading to the Gunners in a straight swap deal.

Real Madrid could go after De Gea

Manchester United will be worried after Kepa Arrizabalaga rejected Real Madrid , extending the La Liga club's search for a new goalkeeper, claims the Mirror .

With the Athletic Bilbao star passing on Los Blancos, the Spanish giants could once again target Man Utd's No.1 David De Gea.
De Gea has yet to sign a new deal with the Red Devils with one year remaining on his current contract.

Man City wanted Fred over Alexis

Manchester City pulled out of the race for Alexis Sanchez to focus on getting Fred instead, according to journalist Ian McGarry (via the Daily Star ).
Manchester United are expected to finalise a deal for Alexis from Arsenal early this week after it appeared the Chilean star was heading to the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola is looking for a long-term replacement for Yaya Toure and believes Fred, at 24, could be the answer