'Not unconfident' Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho says Arsenal hierarchy know Alexis Sanchez's future

Jose Mourinho has proclaimed himself “not unconfident” over Manchester United’s move for Alexis Sanchez, though he admits the deal is in the hands of Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis and Arsene Wenger.

United are leading the race for the Chilean having shown greater willingness to meet Arsenal’s terms, which include a fee of up to £35million, whilst their Manchester rivals City have baulked at a deal that would also include agents fees and a contract in excess of £300,000-a-week.

Wenger also wants a player from United in exchange with Standard Sport reporting yesterday that the Arsenal manager wanted to explore the availability of Anthony Martial. However Henrikh Mkhitaryan looks a more realistic option with Mourinho having left the Armenian playmaker out of the side for Monday’s 3-0 win over Stoke.

Speaking in his post-match press conference Mourinho pronounced himself “not confident, but also not unconfident” of securing Sanchez

​Mourinho added he was “just relaxed, and with the feeling that he is an Arsenal player, with the feeling that he can stay there, but also with the feeling that he can move, and if he moves, I think we have a chance.

“I think most probably a player like him has other big clubs interested. Who knows?

“I think him [Sanchez], Wenger, Gazidis – I think they are the ones that know really what is going to happen.”

Wenger has already suggested he expects Sanchez to leave, hinting on Sunday that the Chilean’s future could be decided as early as later on Tuesday, and is also targeting Bordeaux forward Malcom.