Paper Round: Alexis Sanchez set to become highest paid player in British football with United move

Alexis Sanchez is said to become the highest paid player in the history of British football as it was reported that the Chile international would earn £505,000 a week after switching allegiances to Manchester United. According to The Sun, the 29-year-old has agreed a four-and-a-half year deal to join United, and will be registered at Old Trafford by midday on Thursday – so long as Arsenal find a replacement.

Paper Round’s view: With the last sighting of Sanchez at a hairdressers in North London instead of training, it does seem his time at the Emirates looks set to end. But who will he be replaced by and wouldn’t he rather wait it out until the end of the season for a place at City? As for Sanchez’s salary, what was it Mourinho was saying the other day about not believing in the January transfer market?

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is rumoured to be ever closer to replacing Alexis Sanchez at Arsenal after it was reported that the Borussia Dortmund forward’s father – and agent - had flown to London. 28-year-old Aubameyang is said to have “pleaded” with the Bundesliga club to let him leave after a third disciplinary-related suspension.

Paper Round’s view: We struggle a bit to make sense of this one. If the draw is the promise of European football, it’s only January and much could change between now and May. In particular, will there be anyone left at Arsenal to enable them to win the Europa Cup and find their way back into the Champions League? And that's before we start on what his current coach Peter Stoger describing his behaviour as incomprehensible - is Arsene Wenger really the man to instil a new sense of discipline in him?

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Inter Milan are rumoured to have made an approach to take Daniel Sturridge off Liverpool’s hands, on loan. The 28-year-old has found himself struggling for playing time at Liverpool and is unlikely to force his way back into Jurgen Klopp’s favour. According to reports, The Serie A team are looking to bolster their attack and though Liverpool would prefer to do a permanent deal for Sturridge, who they value at £30 million, they may take pity on him in the run up to the World Cup.

Paper Round’s view: It’s hard to imagine who would take Sturridge on a permanent basis right now, for the kind of money Liverpool want for him, given his propensity for injury. Provided he could make it off the bench, almost anywhere would be better for Sturridge than Liverpool, if he’s to stand any chance of finding his way onto Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad. Still, it’s a long way from Hoxton isn’t it, Daniel?

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