United sign Sanchez from Arsenal in swap deal for Mkhitaryan

ManchesterUnited yesterday confirmed the signing of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal,with Henrikh Mkhitaryan heading in the opposite direction.“I am thrilled to be joining the biggest club in the world,” said 29-year-old Chile international forward Sanchez. “Ihave spent three-and-a-half wonderful years at Arsenal and I bring withme very positive memories of that great club and its fans.“The chance to play in this historic stadium and to work with Jose Mourinho was something I could not turn down.“Iam very proud to be the first Chilean player ever to play for United’sfirst team and I hope I can show our fans all around the world why theclub wanted to bring me here.”Sanchez is expected to be the highestever paid player in the Premier League, with British media reporting apre-tax salary of £500,000 ($695,000, 567,000 euros) a week.The swapdeal that sees Armenia international winger Mkhitaryan, also 29, headto the Emirates following a mixed 18 months at Old Trafford had beenexpected for several days.Sanchez had joined Arsenal in 2014 for £31.7 million after three years at Barcelona.“Alexisis one of the best attacking players in the world and he will completeour very young and talented group of attacking players,” said Unitedmanager Jose Mourinho.“He will bring his ambition, drive andpersonality, qualities that make a Manchester United player and a playerthat makes the team stronger and the supporters proud of their clubdimension and prestige.“I would like to wish Henrikh all the successand happiness that I am sure he is going to get. He is a player that wewill not forget, especially for his contribution to our Europa Leaguevictory.”Mkhitaryan joined United for around £30 million in 2016 after three years at Borussia Dortmund. Arsenal also published the news of the swap deal on their website.“I’m very happy that we could finish this deal and I’m very happy to be here,” said Mkhitaryan.“It’sa dream come true because I’ve always dreamed of playing for Arsenal.Now that I’m here, I’ll do my best for this club to create history.”Arsenalboss Arsene Wenger added: “Henrikh is a very complete player. Hecreates chances, he defends well, he can absorb distances and he’s verycommitted as well.“I must say he’s a player who has all the attributes.”De Bruyne signs Manchester City extensionBelgianplaymaker Kevin De Bruyne has signed a contract extension withManchester City keeping him at the club until 2023, the Premier Leagueleaders said on Monday.The 26-year-old attacking midfielder has beenone of the stars of the season so far with City manager Pep Guardiolaeven describing him as “one of the best players” he’s ever seen.“Iam really happy to have signed this new deal,” De Bruyne, who joined theCitizens from Wolfsburg in 2015, told mancity.com. “As I’ve saidpreviously, my intention has always been to stay here at City, whereI’ve felt at home from day one.“Not only are we winning, we areplaying great football. It’s a pleasure to be a part of and I’m reallyexcited about what we can achieve in the coming years.”De Bruyne hasalready contributed six goals and 10 assists in 24 matches this seasonwith 31 goals from 122 appearances in total in the sky blue shirt.