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United seals Sanchez deal after extraordinary January swoop

Manchester United / Getty

Alexis Sanchez's wish has finally been granted.

The energetic Chilean officially swapped Arsenal for Manchester United on Monday, ending months of restlessness over his future in north London.

Sanchez can now call himself one of the highest earners in the Premier League after signing a contract with United worth a reported £14 million per season.

(Photo courtesy: Manchester United)

"I am thrilled to be joining the biggest club in the world," Sanchez said.

"I have spent three-and-a-half wonderful years at Arsenal and I bring with me very positive memories of that great club and its fans.

"The chance to play in this historic stadium and to work with Jose Mourinho was something I could not turn down. I am very proud to be the first Chilean player ever to play for United's first team and I hope I can show our fans all around the world why the club wanted to bring me here."

Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who turned 29 on Sunday, went the other way in a rare exchange of players between two of Europe's top clubs.

Related: Mkhitaryan completes blockbuster Arsenal switch

Manchester City was long considered the favourite to acquire Sanchez after agreeing to a £60-million fee on the last day of the summer window. A move failed to materialise because Arsenal couldn't secure a replacement - thought to be AS Monaco winger Thomas Lemar - in time.

United then entered discussions this month with the promise of greater financial terms. Undeterred by the prospect of paying Sanchez a reported £20-million signing bonus and another £10 million in agents' fees, the Red Devils forced City out of the race.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had expressed hope of re-signing Sanchez to a new deal, but instead kept him on the sidelines as club officials negotiated his exit.

It always seemed like a losing battle to keep the 29-year-old, especially against the backdrop of reports that the Gunners dressing room was divided.

There were no such questions about Sanchez's production on the pitch. He scored 24 goals in the Premier League last season to finish as a finalist for the PFA Player of the Year award.

He is now set to make his debut Friday against League Two side Yeovil Town in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Having been restricted to just 90 minutes of second-tier Europa League football, Sanchez is also eligible for selection in the Champions League.

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