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Alexis Sanchez was born to play for Manchester United and will be embraced by the club’s supporters as the next in a long line of exciting, explosive forwards – that’s according to former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp .
Sanchez yesterday travelled to Manchester to complete his move to United from Arsenal , with the transfer likely to be confirmed on either Monday or Tuesday, with his medical passed on Sunday.
Similarly, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who is moving in the opposite direction as a part of the straight-swap deal, has been photographed in London and is currently understood to be undergoing his medical in north London.
United will pay Sanchez £400k-a-week and have agreed to spend around £15m in agents fees, but Redknapp thinks that is ultimately worth it considering what a talented player the Chile international is.
“Some players are born to play for Manchester United and Alexis Sanchez is one of them. He can handle the pressure that comes with being part of this club,” he wrote in his column for The Daily Mail
“Sanchez is a warrior who is blessed with incredible talent. He is a killer in the box who lives to score goals.
“Two years ago, he was one of the best forwards in Europe but this season it is clear he has not been enjoying his football at Arsenal.”
Show all 43 1 /43Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Luke Shaw Following strong criticism from his own manager and pundits, after a series of long-term injuries, the former-Saint looks set to leave Old Trafford after four seasons that has seen him make only 53 appearances for United.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Ander Herrera Manchester United have a one-year option they can invoke in the Spaniard’s contract should they wish to extend his stay at Old Trafford. Nemanja Matic’s arrival has limited the midfielder’s opportunities with the majority of his appearances this season coming from the bench.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Jack Wilshere Having struggled with injuries for years the Arsenal academy graduate has played in Arsenal’s previous four games. Undoubtedly talented, should the midfielder reject a proposed contract extension from the London club he will have plenty of Premier League sides eager to sign him at the end of the season.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Emre Can Heavily linked with a move to Juventus, the former-Bayern Munich midfielder has been frustrated by Jurgen Klopp’s rotation policy in a congested Liverpool midfield, and with the impending arrival of Naby Keita from Leipzig in the summer, sees his opportunities further diminishing.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Marouane Fellaini Struggling for game time in a United midfield consisting of Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera, and Nemanja Matic, the Belgian may be tempted to move in search of first team opportunities.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Franck Ribery The Champions League winner, now 34, has struggled with injury this season, and has understandably looked rusty upon his return to the Bayern starting eleven.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Daley Blind Having made only 13 appearances for Mourinho’s side in all competitions this season, the versatile Dutchman has been linked with a move to Barcelona.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Ashley Young Following his conversion to full-back by manager Jose Mourinho, the 32-year-old has scored twice and provided four assists with his dangerous delivery from out wide. Teams in the Premier League will be keen to secure the former Aston Villa player’s experience next term.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Giorgio Chiellini At 33 the Italian centre-back is still a world-class player, and with less than a year on his contract, will surely be a bargain for whoever secures his services next summer.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Zlatan Ibrahimovic Undoubted class, but at 36, whether the Swede represents value for money is another matter, with the striker one of the highest paid players in the Premier League.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Fernando Torres The former Liverpool striker has had to settle for a place on the bench since his return to Atletico Madrid, behind Antoine Griezmann and Kevin Gameiro in the pecking order. A move away surely beckons for the 33-year-old.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Arjen Robben Bayern’s other veteran winger has also had an injury-stricken season in Bavaria, though has still managed to score three and assist four in all competitions. The Dutchman is certainly still a threat when fully fit.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Iker Casillas Having won the Champions League three times, Casillas is certainly a high-quality goalkeeper. Could the Spanish veteran be a good signing for a top-European club?
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Hatem Ben Arfa Talent in abundance though lacking work rate, teams interested in the attacker will hope they can see the player find the form he displayed at OGC Nice, scoring 18 goals and assisting 7 in 2015/16.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Ezequiel Lavezzi The stocky Argentine forward has been on fire this season in the Chinese Super League, scoring 20 goals and assisting 19 in 27 games. A return to Europe is surely on the cards for the former-Napoli man.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Joel Robles Displaced from the Everton starting line-up by £30m summer arrival Jordan Pickford, the Spaniard will be eager to guarantee himself more game-time should next year.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Juanfran The Atletico Madrid legend, now 32, is under increasing competition from Croatian full-back Sime Vrsaljko and could be tempted by a move before retirement.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Amin Younes The Ajax forward, currently sidelined with a serious knee injury, had an excellent season in 2016/17 and was rewarded with his first Germany cap by Joachim Lowe in June this year.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Andre-Pierre Gignac The French target-man has enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career with Mexican side Tigres UANL, scoring a goal in every two games in all competitions. Proven in Ligue 1 with Marseille, the striker is capable of succeeding in Europe.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Yohan Cabaye Capable of dictating games at the top-level, the Frenchman could surely be a wildcard for a top side in the Premier League next season.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Mario Balotelli The enigmatic Italian striker has reignited his stop-start career in Nice with 33 goals in 49 appearances for the French side.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Joao Moutinho Winner of Ligue 1 with AS Monaco last year, the 31-year-old midfielder is into the final year of his contract.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Carlos Vela The Mexican wideman has found goals hard to come by this season, scoring just once this season for Real Sociedad.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Yaya Toure After years of speculation that Toure would leave Manchester City, the Ivorian’s time at City finally seems to coming to an end.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Stefan de Vrij Liverpool have been linked to the Netherland’s international in recent weeks as Jurgen Klopp seeks to add quality to his defence.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Neven Subotic The Bundesliga winner has made only four appearances this season, often failing to even make the bench for Dortmund.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Max Meyer The 22-year-old playmaker Meyer has been consistently linked with Liverpool, Tottenham and Barcelona and has so far refused any contract offers made by Schalke.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Dani Garcia The Spanish midfielder has been a mainstay for SD Eibar over the past three seasons. Offering a goal-threat from midfield with his long-distance shooting and set-piece ability, Garcia could prove a shrewd acquisition.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Achraf Hakimi The Moroccan full back has deputised well for Dani Carvajal in La Liga this season, and has shown glimpses of his potential at the Bernabeu.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Stephan Lichsteiner Disappointing performances for the Bianconeri this season, and added competition from Mattia de Sciglio have led to rumours that the Swiss defender could be set to leave Turin in January.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Bernard The pacey winger has enjoyed a four year spell in Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk, though in not signing a new contract, may have his heart set on playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Diego Reyes The 25-year-old defender has guided FC Porto to the top of the Primeira Liga, conceding only six goals in the process.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Enes Unal Still only 20, the Turkish forward has seen his career stall since moving to Spain from Manchester City. Should the striker fail to sign a new contract with Villareal, a move back to the Eredivisie could prove fruitful for a striker with vast potential.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Ivan Marcano The Porto centre-back, also capable of playing left-back, has been the subject of interest from Everton following a number of impressive displays for the Iberian club.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Joao Miranda Former Atletico Madrid star Miranda has started all but one league game for Inter Milan this term helping his side keep eight clean sheets so far. Should he fail to renew his contract with the Nerazzuri, he will be a top acquisition for any side.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Kepa Arrizabalaga The 23-year-old goalkeeper is yet to sign a new deal with Athletic Bilbao, and is rumoured to be close to agreeing a move to Real Madrid for €20m.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Kwadwo Asamoah The five-time Serie A winner is capable of playing in a variety of positions and would certainly be a valuable squad player for top sides in Europe.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Mark Uth The 26-year-old striker has been in excellent form for Hoffenheim this season, scoring 12 goals in all competitions.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Pedro Leon Injured since the summer, the experienced right winger would be a gamble with such little game time in the past year. If he can prove his fitness, the winger is capable of creating chances from wide areas, with six assists last season in La Liga.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Santi Cazorla Blighted by serious injuries to his Achilles and having had surgery nine times in 14 months, the diminutive midfielder will hope to regain his fitness to restart his career.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Zlatko Junuzovic The Werder Bremen creative midfielder has assisted 49 in 182 appearances, scoring 20 goals in the process.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Rafinha The experienced Brazilian right-back is entering the last year of his contract with Bayern Munich. Capable of deputising at the top level, and with invaluable experience in the Champions league, the 32-year old could provide excellent cover for an elite European side next season.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Sergio Canales The Spanish playmaker is yet to agree a new contract and has proven, when fit, that he is capable of playing at the top level.
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Redknapp also wrote that he believes Sanchez will fit in well at United, where he will be surrounded by similarly talented players.
“He is going to a club with outstanding players in Romelu Lukaku, Paul Pogba and David de Gea,” he added.
“With that star-studded squad, Manchester United are going to be a real force in the next couple of years.
“The fans will love him. Manchester United have a rich tradition of explosive, exciting forwards. Sanchez has a never-say-die ethic and will elevate training.
“Yes, he is being paid an awful lot of money, but that is football now. Sanchez is a great signing for United in every way.”
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