Jose Mourinho is set to reunite with one of the worst signings in Manchester United’s history after Fenerbahce tabled a contract offer for a former Red Devil, according to a report in Italy.
An Expensive Mistake
Sanchez, 36, joined United from Premier League rival Arsenal in January 2018 when Mourinho was at the helm at Old Trafford.
The Chilean forward had been close to agreeing a move to join Manchester City but a late swoop by United convinced him to join the red half of the city, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan heading in the opposite direction.
The fact that a contract worth “worth up to £600,000-a-week in wages” was on offer only played a minor role in this change of heart, The Peoples Person is sure.
But where Sanchez’s form for Arsenal was scintillating, returning 80 goals and 44 assists in 166 games for the Gunners, his decline for United was conversely spectacular.
The Theatre of Dreams quickly morphed into an unrelenting nightmare for the former Barcelona star who admitted he wanted to return to Arsenal after just one training session in Manchester.
Sanchez never demonstrated the quality he had exuded in abundance at the Emirates and, within eighteen months of the blockbuster move, United agreed for the winger to join Inter Milan on loan.
He then signed a three-year deal with I Nerazzurri the following summer, bringing an end to one of the worst pieces of business at Old Trafford in living memory – and that is saying something.
A Reunion in Turkey
Sanchez now plays for Udinese, having starred for the Serie A side prior to his move to Barcelona, but his contract at the Stadio Friuli expires next summer.
The 36-year-old winger is a target for Fenerbahce, who finished second in the Super Lig under Mourinho last season.
Italian outlet Gazzetta (as relayed by the Daily Mail) reports the Yellow Canaries have offered Sanchez a one-year contract, with the option for an additional twelve months.
“The report claims that Fenerbahce have offered Sanchez a one-year contract worth €4million (£3.5m). As part of the deal, there would be the automatic option of a second year for Sanchez if either of two criteria are reached.
“It is said that if the forward features in 70 per cent of the minutes Fenerbahce play next season or contributes a cumulative 15 goals or assists, that second year would be activated.
“The report goes on to add that while Udinese are not back in pre-season training until Thursday, all roads point towards Sanchez exiting the club this summer.”
Fenerbahce are aiming to overtake Galatasaray next season after their fifth season in a row finishing second in the table to their bitter rivals. Whether an over-the-hill Sanchez is the solution to breaking this cycle remains to be seen, however.
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
