5 talking points from the 'Alexis Sanchez to Manchester' transfer saga

The January transfer window is not known for drama, but the footballing world has been following every bit of news regarding the future of Alexis Sanchez.

The 29-year-old has reportedly been demanding a huge pay rise from the Gunners and is very likely to exit the club in the near future, having been on the lookout for an exit from the club.

Even if someone has missed the major developments from the story, read through this highly detailed account of this saga:

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#5 Tantrums and treasures

He has not been his usual passionate-self this season

Arsenal fans have found it hard to stick with and support Sanchez despite his world-class abilities on the pitch. The Chilean international has been guilty of losing possession of the ball on too many occasions and being out of form for a majority of the first half of the season.

With his contract running out this summer, Arsenal fans had been wishing that their marquee player will sign an extension but Sanchez has been holding for weekly wages of about £400,000 which Arsenal are in no mood to agree upon.

The dropped shoulders and sulky mood has not gone down well with the faithful of the club and why would it?

With no UEFA Champions League and a currently sixth-placed Arsenal, there does not seem to be a huge change in fortunes for the club. Sanchez will be aware of the riches he will be able to gather by switching to either of the Manchester clubs, along with the potential to win trophies at the highest level.

#4 Manchester City's perspective

Guardiola still rates Sanchez very highly and has wanted him at City since last summer

Pep Guardiola’s men have been performing like a marauding juggernaut, unbeaten in the Premier League. But the fact is that Alexis still wants to work under the Spanish gaffer once again after the duo’s time together at Barcelona was cut short when he moved to Arsenal in 2014.

Moreover, Sanchez will not be cup-tied, meaning that he will be able to play in the Champions League for City. City are already considered to be one of the favourites for the highest trophy on offer this season, and Sanchez’s acquisition will only cement that thought.

This deal is a no-brainer for Guardiola, but Manchester City are reportedly not willing to match Arsenal's evaluation of the player, as per reports from the Independent.

#3 Manchester United's perspective

Jose Mourinho would be itching to take Sanchez away from the hands of his rival - Pep Guardiola

Jose Mourinho has often said that January is not ideal to do business but if United do manage to acquire Sanchez, it will be beneficial for them on two fronts as they weaken Arsenal - one of their potential top four competitors in the Premier League this season, and Manchester City - a moral victory for Jose in a season when the Citizens have overshadowed their neighbours.

United are also willing to pay a lot more to Arsenal and are offering a far more lucrative pay package to Sanchez on top of that in the form of weekly wages.

In Sanchez, United finally get their hands on a worthy candidate for the famed No. 7 shirt of their club worn by club legends like David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, and quite possibly, a replacement for the out-of-form Armenian, Henrikh Mkhitaryan as well, who could alternatively be used in a swap deal with Arsenal.

#2 Arsenal's perspective

To sell now in the middle of the season or for free in the summer?

Arsenal are guilty of leaving the contract extensions of their best players hanging in the air for too long. Now they face the prospect of either losing their 2 time Player of the Season on a free transfer or selling him right now for a small amount.

But with United registering interest, the bidding war that is expected to follow will please the Arsenal board. Wenger would be aware that selling to United will invite a possible backlash from the fans for obvious reasons, after what happened with the sale of Robin van Persie to Manchester United.

The general idea is that Wenger will be looking to add some personnel to his squad before sanctioning Sanchez’s sale to any of the Manchester clubs. The player who looks most likely to join the Gunners' setup is Malcom from Bordeaux.

The Brazilian winger has been learning English and his agent was reportedly spotted in London on 12 January, as per reports in The Sun.

#1 Alexis Sanchez’s perspective

Have the goodbyes been said already?

It’s no secret that the forward has been looking for a lucrative pay package, and both City and United are capable of paying their players quite generously.

An opportunity to work with one his former managers in the form of Pep Guardiola is highly tempting for the Chilean and Manchester City are almost guaranteed a Premier League winners medal this season.

However, the attractiveness of the history and the lure of a club like Manchester United cannot be ignored either.

With just about 15 days left before the winter transfer window is wrapped up, the remaining couple of weeks in the January window promises to be very exciting indeed.