Manchester United legend Gary Neville has suggested that Jose Mourinho would have jumped at the opportunity to swap Henrikh Mkhitaryan for Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez.
Reports have suggested that the two clubs have agreed a straight exchange of the two attackers, with the transfer said to be dependent on Mkhitaryan's decision whether to make the switch to the Emirates Stadium.
Mkhitaryan was regarded as one of the top performers in the Premier League at the start of the season but after a quiet few months, Neville has claimed that Mourinho will be eager to replace him with Sanchez.
The 42-year-old told Sky Sports' Monday Night Football: "The clearest sign that something's happening with Sanchez is that Mkhitaryan isn't playing, that he's not in the squad and Jose was happy to volunteer that information to us.
"He wanted to keep the player clear, saying that he does rate him but I think he'd happily swap him in any deal for Alexis Sanchez. Anybody would.
"He's a talented player but you have to have more than talent. He's shown glimpses that make you think he's coming but then he goes missing."
Mkhitaryan's agent Mino Raiola has indicated that the player is not close to agreeing to move to Arsenal.
Darren Plant
