Arsene Wenger has confirmed this morning that the swap-deal between Arsenal and Manchester United, trading Alexis Sanchez for Henrikh Mkhitaryan is edging ever closer.
He confirmed that wages would not be a problem in bring the Armenian to the club but was wary of the deal falling through, saying: I’ve worked on transfers for 30 years, so it is likely to happen. But at any moment, at any minute, things can break down. That’s how the transfer market is. As long as it’s not over the line, you have to accept that it can as well not happen. These kind of things are never guaranteed.”
The experienced boss does not regret keeping hold of the Chilean star in the summer as he felt a deal could not be done in time. “I would have done it, but it was not possible as it happened very late on the last day of the transfer market and that’s why it didn’t happen. Overall, if it happens now it is because somebody else comes in for him.”
Wenger was coy about the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has been left out of the Dortmund squad in recent weeks. “These kind of things, it’s better when it’s secret and when you don’t come out on it, and when you announce it when it’s over the line.” The Gunners are happy to pay around £60 million to secure the Gabonese goal scorer’s signature, but the deal is still some distance away.
In a jam-packed press conference, Wenger also ruled out signing Malcom, the young Brazilian in this window. Arsenal were hotly linked with the Bordeaux forward but the transfer will not go through this month. "No. I don't think we are close to doing that," he said when asked if the Gunners would be getting their man.
Finally, in some positive news for Arsenal fans, Mesut Ozil will not be leaving the club in this window, according to the Arsenal manager. The club are also actively looking to extend Jack Wilshere’s contract beyond the end of the season.