Chelsea have made a late move to hijack Manchester United’s deal for Alexis Sanchez as Antonio Conte looks to bolster his attack, according to reports. The Chilean was widely expected to join Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, though United made a late move to sign him and offered both a bigger transfer fee and more lucrative salary package. That has prompted City to withdraw from the running, but now the Manchester Evening News claim that Jose Mourinho’s hopes of signing Sanchez could be undone by his old club Chelsea. After three goalless draws in a row, Conte wants more firepower up front.
Antonio Conte has made little secret of his appreciation for Sanchez in the past, and now the west Londoners are prepared to try and lure him to Stamford Bridge. While United are still confident of completing a deal, Chelsea’s involvement could now push the fee even higher than the £35m United are willing to pay – which was already £15m more than City’s maximum offer.