Harry Diamond
Manchester United have confirmed that Alexis Sanchez’s disastrous spell at the club is over with the forward having completed a permanent transfer to Inter Milan.
The Chile international endured a nightmare period after moving to Old Trafford from Premier League rivals Arsenal in January 2018, scoring just three league goals during his 18 months at the club before being deemed surplus to requirements by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last summer.
Sanchez subsequently joined Inter on a season-long loan deal and has now completed a permanent move to the Italian giants, the 31-year-old departing on a free transfer after agreeing to cancel his contract with the Red Devils.
The club have now confirmed that a deal has been agreed that sees Sanchez leave the club, with the Telegraph reporting that Manchester United have handed the forward between £5-10m in compensation – his contract having had two years remaining, totalling an estimated £55m.
Sanchez’s departure will come as a huge boost, however, with the Red Devils having paid a large portion of his £500,000-a-week wages during his spell at Inter this season, the forward’s dismal contribution having reportedly cost the club almost £20m per Premier League goal in wages.
The move will now free up significant space in the club’s wage bill as they look to invest this summer, Solskjaer having wished the Chilean ‘all the best’ following confirmation of his Old Trafford exit.
“Alexis enjoyed his time there they have liked him so that’s a good move for him,” Solskjaer told BT Sport after Manchester United’s 2-1 win over LASK.
“We wish him all the best and he is a top player and we want to see play his best football. For whatever reason we didn’t see the best of him here, he’s a top professional and we wish him all the best.”
Sanchez could now come up against United if the two sides make it to this season’s Europa League final in Cologne on August 23, the duo having made it into the quarter-finals last night.
Solskjaer admits matchwinner Martial was ‘begging to come on’ as Man Utd beat LASK 2-1
See also – Five of the worst Premier League signings from last summer’s transfer window