Alexis Sanchez is expected to join Manchester United in a move that will see Henrikh Mkhitaryan join Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Granit Xhaka has heaped praise on both Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan ahead of their proposed swap deal.

Arsenal superstar Sanchez is expected to join Manchester United in the next 24 hours in a move that will see Mkhitaryan head in the opposite direction.

Sanchez will be out of contract in the summer but United are determined to bring him to Old Trafford this month rather then wait to sign him on a free.

Arsene Wenger is resigned to losing the Chile international but wants to at least secure a deal for Mkhitaryan, who has fallen out of favour at United since his £30m move from Borussia Dortmund two years ago.

Sanchez trained with the youth team this week as he closed in on the move and Xhaka praised his attitude and said he sets a fine example on and off the pitch.

‘To be honest, I don’t know really what’s true and what isn’t,’ Xhaka told Sky Sports. ‘We’re humans as well and we read things like you do.

Why Jose Mourinho is 10000x better for Sanchez than Guardiola picture: PA/Getty/Metro.co.ukWhy Jose Mourinho is 10000x better for Sanchez than Guardiola picture: PA/Getty/Metro.co.uk
Jose Mourinho is a known admirer of Sanchez (Picture: PA/Getty/Metro.co.uk)

‘Alexis is an important player for us, he’s got class which he shows every week, and I will be happy if he stays.

‘If he stays or goes? I don’t know what’s going to happen.

‘At training, he’s always an example for many people because he always wants to win no matter what we are doing – a big game or a small game. I think that’s something that characterises him.’

Xhaka played against Armenian star Mkhitaryan in the Bundesliga and praised his qualities, calling him an ‘excellent player’.

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‘I only know him really from the Bundesliga and I’ve played against him a couple of times in the Premier League as well,’ Xhaka said.

‘He’s an excellent player, with lots of qualities, but I can’t really say much more to it because I am not really sure what’s true and what’s really happening.’

Wenger, having said throughout the season that he believes Sanchez wants to stay, admitted on Thursday that the swap deal would likely go through before the weekend.

‘It is likely to happen [in the next 24 hours], but any moment, any minutes things break down, that’s how the transfer market is,’ he said.

‘I’ve worked on transfers for 30 years. So as long as it’s not over the line, we have to accept it can’t happen. These things are never guaranteed.’

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