Martin Keown blasts Alexis Sanchez

Martin Keown stepped in to the ongoing Alexis Sanchez transfer saga by labeling him a “mercenary”. The exact quote in his Daily Mail column was, “Sanchez has got to be the biggest mercenary in football.”

I am ready for the backlash that I will receive for what I am about to say, but I completely agree with Keown.

Before I explain, let me first say that yes, I am a disappointed Arsenal supporter. I feel like I’ve just been broken up with so there is a bit of anger towards Sanchez. Plus, to be fair, Arsenal and Arsene Wenger created this mess by allowing the player’s contract to run down.

However, let’s look at what has gone on.

Sanchez has been holding Arsenal hostage for well over a year. He refused to sign a new contract and made it clear that he intended to be reunited with his former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola.

A summer transfer fell through when Arsenal couldn’t sign a suitable replacement.

Sanchez has had some great moments this season, but overall he’s been sulking and not giving his all to his club and teammates. At times he’s been pure selfish on the pitch.

It was pretty much a given that Arsenal would try and cash in on Sanchez in the January transfer window instead of losing the player for nothing at the end of the season.

Manchester City offered £20m for the player, but Arsenal wanted closer to the £35m they had originally spent on Sanchez.

City called Arsenal’s bluff and pulled out of the deal. Pep figured he would be able to sign Sanchez without a fee over the summer. Plus, let’s be honest, do they really need him? The title was decided a long time ago.

Seeing an opportunity to get one over on his nemesis Guardiola, Jose Mourinho got involved. Manchester United are offering a £30m pound transfer free for a player that would be available for nothing at the end of this season. That’s not all United are offering Sanchez. There is a £20m signing on fee and a £10m agent’s fee. In total United are offering Sanchez £180m over 4.5 years. That’s £450,000 a week.

Staggering yes. So why is Sanchez a mercenary? City are winning the title this season. United have no chance. It’s done.

So Sanchez is not joining Mourinho’s team to win the league. United have a decent squad, but they’re not City. Sanchez is going to United for the money.

Mourinho and Sanchez deserve each other at this point in their careers. One is a money grubber and the other is a child that gets his kicks by getting one over on his rivals.

Hopefully Sanchez will enjoy playing alongside Marouane Fellaini and Jesse Lingard while watching Guardiola and City lift the Premier League trophy in a few months’ time.