Alexis Sanchez: Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher clash over Arsenal star's Manchester United transfer

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Manchester United and Liverpool legends Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have clashed over Alexis Sanchez’s move to Old Trafford and whether the Arsenal forward is actually worth the money being put on the table.

United are willing to pay around £400,000-a-week to Sanchez, plus a £35m fee to Arsenal and £5m to his agent in a deal which would total more than £100m after a standard three-year contract for a 29-year-old with six months remaining on his contract.

Manchester City ended their interest in Sanchez over that money after only being willing to pay Arsenal £20m and give him wages of more than £60,000-a-week less than United. They were unprepared to offer him that much more than current stars such as Kevin De Bruyne.

Neville was shocked that City pulled out over this reason, giving that they are investing more than the £72m they were willing to on Sanchez on Kyle Walker.

“I'm just looking at it economically,” Neville said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football. “Manchester United have apparently offered £35m, £5m for an agent fee and £350,000 a week which comes in at just over £100m for Alexis Sanchez, who is 29 years old.

“City are apparently saying they won't pay more than £72m. Gone are the days where you can think a Bosman signing is going to cost you less than it would do if you were paying a fee to a club.

“If Sanchez had two years left on his contract you'd have to pay Arsenal £75m to £80m and him £200,000 to £250,000 a week. It would cost you £100m. He's going to cost £100m anyway so I'm not quite sure what City's economics are, particularly when they've spent £50m on Kyle Walker and the package of his wages over five years might cost £80m. They're willing to put more into Walker than they are Sanchez.”

However, Carragher supported City’s decision by insinuating that Sanchez has betrayed the gentleman’s agreement to move to the Etihad and that, rather than money, was the reason why they pulled out of the deal.

“It's not about money,” he retorted. “It might be for Sanchez but not for City. They're not bothered about an extra £30m, what's that to City? It's absolutely nothing. It's the fact the man, I would say, has given his word that he's going to go to City.

“He's probably shook hands on a deal. They tried to get him in the summer but Arsenal pulled out of it. I'm sure they've been talking all the way through, saying we'll get you when the window re-opens. Manchester United have come from nowhere and offered more money.”