Gabon international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has joined Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund for a reported fee of $85 million.
Gabon international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has joined Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund for a reported fee of $85 million.
Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Bongarts/Getty Images
The deal for the Gabon international, could see Arsenal's Olivier Giroud join Chelsea for a fee thought to be in the region of ￡18 million ($25.5m).
The deal for the Gabon international, could see Arsenal's Olivier Giroud join Chelsea for a fee thought to be in the region of ￡18 million ($25.5m).
GEOFF CADDICK/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The transfer merry-go-round involving Arsenal, Dortmund and Chelsea could take Michy Batshuayi from the Premier League champions to the Bundesliga club.
The transfer merry-go-round involving Arsenal, Dortmund and Chelsea could take Michy Batshuayi from the Premier League champions to the Bundesliga club.
Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Manchester City confirmed the signing of Aymeric Laport from Athletic Club, after the Premier League leaders activated the ￡57.2 million ($80.9 million) buyout clause in the defender's contract.
Manchester City confirmed the signing of Aymeric Laport from Athletic Club, after the Premier League leaders activated the ￡57.2 million ($80.9 million) buyout clause in the defender's contract.
Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
And the Manchester club Alexis Sanchez has signed for is ... United.<br />Sanchez had linked with a move to Manchester City, but the 29-year-old Chilean has opted to join Jose Mourinho's United.
And the Manchester club Alexis Sanchez has signed for is ... United.
Sanchez had linked with a move to Manchester City, but the 29-year-old Chilean has opted to join Jose Mourinho's United.
Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Meanwhile Henrikh Mkhitaryan has left Manchester United to join Arsenal in the transfer swap involving Sanchez.
Meanwhile Henrikh Mkhitaryan has left Manchester United to join Arsenal in the transfer swap involving Sanchez.
Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Carlos Tevez returned to boyhood club Boca Juniors from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua, where he was the highest paid player in the world -- earning a reported $900,000 per week.
Carlos Tevez returned to boyhood club Boca Juniors from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua, where he was the highest paid player in the world -- earning a reported $900,000 per week.
EITAN ABRAMOVICH/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Philippe Coutinho has joined Barcelona from Liverpool in a transfer widely reported to be worth $170 million.
Philippe Coutinho has joined Barcelona from Liverpool in a transfer widely reported to be worth $170 million.
Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Besiktas' forward Cenk Tosun is set to join Everton for a reported ￡27 million fee, making him the most expensive player in Turkish Super Lig history. "It is just personal terms now, the final stage," said manager Sam Allardyce on Thursday.
Besiktas' forward Cenk Tosun is set to join Everton for a reported ￡27 million fee, making him the most expensive player in Turkish Super Lig history. "It is just personal terms now, the final stage," said manager Sam Allardyce on Thursday.
BULENT KILIC/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Liverpool paid $101 million for Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk -- a world record for a defender. The Merseyside club had tried to sign the Dutch international during the 2017 summer transfer window, but a potential deal was scuppered after Liverpool was forced to apologize for making an alleged illegal approach for the 26-year-old.
Liverpool paid $101 million for Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk -- a world record for a defender. The Merseyside club had tried to sign the Dutch international during the 2017 summer transfer window, but a potential deal was scuppered after Liverpool was forced to apologize for making an alleged illegal approach for the 26-year-old.
PAUL ELLIS/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Portuguese international Adrien Silva finally joined Leicester City from Sporting Lisbon for a reported $29 million. Silva has been in limbo for the last four months after paperwork relating to his transfer was submitted <a >14 seconds too late on the final day of the summer transfer window on August 31.</a>
Portuguese international Adrien Silva finally joined Leicester City from Sporting Lisbon for a reported $29 million. Silva has been in limbo for the last four months after paperwork relating to his transfer was submitted 14 seconds too late on the final day of the summer transfer window on August 31.
Ian Walton/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Diego Costa is back at Spanish club Atletico Madrid for a second spell. The Spain international rejoined Atletico from Chelsea in a $77 million deal after the two clubs agreed his transfer September. When Costa signed Atletico was operating under a FIFA ban on registering news players until January, so the Spanish club's record signing is only now eligible to play.
Diego Costa is back at Spanish club Atletico Madrid for a second spell. The Spain international rejoined Atletico from Chelsea in a $77 million deal after the two clubs agreed his transfer September. When Costa signed Atletico was operating under a FIFA ban on registering news players until January, so the Spanish club's record signing is only now eligible to play.
David Ramos/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
2018 January transfer window: All the major moves

Story highlights

Alexis Sanchez completes transfer to Manchester United

Mourinho fended off interest from Manchester City to sign the Chilean

Henrikh Mkhitaryan joins Arsenal as part of the transfer swap

CNN  — 

It’s been rumbling on for months but the transfer saga involving Chilean international Alexis Sanchez has finally come to an end.

While Sanchez joined Manchester United from Arsenal, Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan went the other way in a rare transfer swap involving two leading English Premier League clubs.

“I am fulfilling a dream that I have since I was a kid: to play for the world’s best team,” Sanchez wrote in one of several Instagram posts.

Meanwhile Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger described the 29-year-old Mkhitaryan as “a very complete player.”

“He creates chances, he defends well, he can absorb distances and he’s very committed as well. I must say he’s a player who has all the attributes,” Wenger told the Arsenal website.

Before coming to England, Mkhitaryan played for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.
Before coming to England, Mkhitaryan played for Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.
Jamie McDonald/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

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‘The biggest mercenary in football’

The 29-year-old Sanchez had widely been expected to join rivals Manchester City in the summer transfer window but a deal fell through on deadline day.

Despite City reviving their interest in January, and Chelsea inquiring about a deal, the 29-year-old opted to join Jose Mourinho in the red half of Manchester.

As the saga played out former Arsenal defender Martin Keown called Sanchez “the biggest mercenary in football,” while another former Gunner Ian Wright said in December the Chilean had “clocked off.”

It has been widely reported that Sanchez’s weekly salary at United will range from $420,000 to $700,000.

On Instagram, Sanchez did not reference anyone directly as he defended his record at Arsenal, writing: “There are people (former club players) who have spoken with no knowledge of what happens inside the club and cause damage.

“I must say I always gave 100%, until the last day, when I asked to the Mister (Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger) to be in the team, because I wanted to be a contribution.”

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Updated 5:48 AM EST, Tue January 23, 2018
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Manchester City's Spanish midfielder David Silva (L) vies with Manchester United's French midfielder Paul Pogba during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 10, 2016. Pep Guardiola savoured a derby success over arch-rival Jose Mourinho on Saturday as Manchester City beat Manchester United 2-1 in an engrossing Premier League clash. / AFP / Oli SCARFF / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
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Mourinho believes Sanchez is “one of the best attacking players in the world.”

“He will bring his ambition, drive and personality, qualities that make a Manchester United player and a player that makes the team stronger and the supporters proud of their club dimension and prestige,” added the United manager.

FA Cup success

After three season at Barcelona, Sanchez joined Arsenal in 2014 for a reported fee of $44 million.

In his three and a half years in north London, the Chile international helped the club win two FA Cups and the Community Shield – while also winning two consecutive Copa America titles for his country.

However, Arsenal’s failure to finish in the Premier League top four last season and secure Champions League football meant Sanchez saw his future away from the club.

With Wenger unable to find a suitable replacement in the summer, the Frenchman refused to sanction a transfer for Sanchez.

That changed in January, when Mourinho offered Mkhitaryan as part of a swap deal.

“I believe we lose a world class player and gain a world class player,” Wenger said in his Tuesday press conference.

“Overall I think Mkhitaryan has the qualities to integrate into our game. He has a good team attitude as well. I’m confident it will work.

“He can play in all kinds of positions. He is very versatile and it should help us going forward.”

Mkhitaryan’s route to Arsenal has taken him from his native Armenia, to Ukraine, Russia, Brazil – where he went on trial to Sao Paulo as a 14-year-old – then to Germany with Borussia Dortmund and now England.

Under now Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp at Dortmund, Mkhitaryan won the German Supercup, scoring against Bayern Munich to help his club lift the title.

His habit of performing on the big occasion continued in his first season at Manchester United, scoring in the final of the Europa League as Mourinho’s side beat Ajax 2-0.

Mkhitaryan also lifted the League Cup and Community Shield in his stint at Old Trafford.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored with an audacious scorpion kick against Sunderland in 2016.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored with an audacious scorpion kick against Sunderland in 2016.
Jan Kruger/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

“I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Manchester United players and staff and especially the fans for your love, passion and support,” the 29-year-old wrote on Instagram.

“I enjoyed having the honor of contributing to the history of your great club by winning the Europa League cup.

“I will always cherish the memory of that moment and that match. And of my Boxing Day scorpion kick and of hearing the song ‘Whoa Mkhitaryan …’ every time I stepped onto the pitch.”