Alexis Sanchez has refused to sign a new contract at Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal legend Paul Merson admits he cannot understand why Manchester United haven’t tested the waters with a £50million bid for Alexis Sanchez.

Jose Mourinho has made three major signings already this summer but appears set to give up on landing his fourth target, Ivan Perisic of Inter, with the Serie A club refusing to lower their £48m asking price.

The United boss has identified the need for a speedy winger with an eye for goal but has refused to enter into the running for Sanchez who former Gunners Merson believes would fit the bill perfectly.

‘Manchester United should make a bid of more than £50m for Alexis Sanchez because he could bring them the title, Merson told Starsport.

‘I wouldn’t get too carried away by the way they steamrolled West Ham last Sunday because they are still a player short for me. For the first 25 minutes or so of that game they never looked like scoring.

Sanchez returned to training this week having recovered from an abdominal strain (Picture: Getty)

MAN UTD TRANSFERS IN

Victor Lindelof (£30.75m, from Benfica), Romelu Lukaku (£75m, from Everton), Nemanja Matic (£40m, from Chelsea)


MAN UTD TRANSFERS OUT

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (released), Josh Harrop (free, to Preston), Wayne Rooney (free, to Everton), Timothy Fosu-Mensah (loan, to Palace), Adnan Januzaj (£9.8m, to Real Sociedad), Cameron Borthwick-Jackson (loan, Leeds)

‘It was just like last season all over again. Then a bit of magic and they’re in front. But will they do that every week?

‘In the end West Ham just rolled over. I didn’t fancy United at the start of the season and I didn’t see anything in that game to change my mind.

‘But if they got Sanchez, I would. He would make a massive difference.

‘Arsenal won’t sell him to a rival for £50m but if United offered £60m or £70m he goes. United can afford it as well.

‘They would get most of it back in shirt sales.

‘They’re one of the biggest clubs in the world and their club shop is the size of a shopping centre. They should go for him.’

MORE : Tottenham announce £42m Davinson Sanchez transfer has been agreed with Ajax