Manchester United are facing a ‘dilemma’ over the future of Alexis Sanchez with the forward said to be ‘reluctant to take a pay cut’ to secure a move away from the club this summer.
Sanchez has proven a huge and costly mistake after struggling since arriving from Arsenal two years ago, with the Chile international currently on a season-long loan deal at Inter Milan after being deemed surplus to requirements by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The 31-year-old’s fortunes have failed to improve during an injury-hit spell at the San Siro and a return to Manchester looks likely at the end of the season, the Red Devils facing the prospect of regaining an unwanted asset on club-record wages of around £350,000-a-week.
United have continued to pay a significant portion of Sanchez’s wages during his loan spell in Italian football and the Evening Standard are reporting that the forward remains reluctant to take a cut to engineer a move away, despite being informed he is not part of the club’s future plans.
Sanchez’s preference is believed to be remaining at Inter but his struggles this season have placed a permanent move to Antonio Conte’s side into serious doubt, whilst the Serie A side would also require the player to take a significant pay cut to finalise a move.
Another loan deal remains a possibility – either at Inter or elsewhere – though United would likely have to continue paying a significant portion of his salary with only a few sides in European football capable of matching the former Barcelona star’s current wages.
The report also suggests that United could opt to buy out the remainder of his contract – due to expire until 2022 – though such an option would see the Old Trafford outfit having to fork out well in excess of £35 million.
The situation continues a remarkable downward spiral for a player once considered amongst the Premier League‘s best, Sanchez having looked a shadow of his former self since leaving the Emirates in January 2018.
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