Paul Merson delivered his verdict on Manchester United ace Alexis Sanchez potentially joining West Ham, when speaking exclusively to Sky Sports yesterday.
According to a report from Italian website FC Inter News, West Ham made contact with the agent of Sanchez a few days ago.
Click HERE to read also: Report: West Ham want to sign £16 million ace who left Chelsea in 2019
The Hammers hopes of signing Sanchez now appear to be over, however, with ESPN claiming that the Chilean is not prepared to take a pay-cut on his mammoth £500,000 per week wages.
And Merson told Sky Sports why he believes that the 31-year-old will return to Manchester United rather than join West Ham, when speaking exclusively to Sky Sports yesterday:
“With what’s currently going on, I can’t see a team going out and spending £100m on a player anymore. Teams are going to have to stick with what they’ve got so Manchester United keeping hold of Alexis Sanchez would come as no surprise. The other options would be to go and find a replacement and they would have to spend £60m or £70m to do it. For that reason, I can understand Sanchez coming back to play a part at Old Trafford because, on his day, he is a great player.”
Sanchez would have been a quite sensational signing for West Ham. Sure, he seems to have regressed over the last two years. But he proved how good he can be during his time with Barcelona and Arsenal.
United ace has real class
The forward, who is currently on loan with Inter Milan, racked up 47 goals and 35 assists in 141 games for the Catalan giants (Transfermarkt), before being sold to Arsenal for £35 million in 2014 (Independent).
The 132-capped Chile international racked up an impressive 80 goals and 45 assists in 166 games for the Gunners (Transfermarkt).
Move was never really viable
Sanchez’s wages always made a move to east London extremely unlikely.
And Merson’s take on the Manchester United ace’s future seems to be spot on.
West Ham will just have to look elsewhere. And considering the Chilean’s recent struggles, that’s not the worst thing int he world.
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