Manchester United's bid for Alexis Sanchez could pivot on whether Henrikh Mkhitaryan is willing to accept a move to Arsenal.

It is understood Mkhitaryan does not view himself as a makeweight in any deal that would take Sanchez to United and is instead the key to a transfer.

When Sanchez’s signing-on fee plus that of his agent’s are factored in this would mean United having to pay around £60 million for a player who is free to leave Arsenal in the summer.