Transfer roundup: Latest on Alexis Sanchez, Manchester United, Arsenal and Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Welcome to FC Yahoo‘s daily transfer roundup, where we’ll dissect the January market, assess the credibility of gossip, and discuss the likelihood that deals come to pass. Every day, we’ll split the various links between players and clubs into four categories to sift through the BS and direct your attention to the reports that deserve it.

Here’s the transfer roundup for Tuesday, Jan. 16:

REPORTS

Alexis Sanchez | Arsenal —> Manchester United
Henrikh Mkhitaryan | Manchester United —> Arsenal — On Monday night, Manchester City withdrew from the Sanchez sweepstakes, while Chelsea reportedly entered. But on Tuesday, all the Sanchez talk has centered on the terms of a potential deal that would send the Chilean to Manchester United.

The most reliable update we have is from the BBC’s David Ornstein. “The Ornacle” reports that United has signed off on an agreement with Sanchez’s camp, but that the transfer hinges on Mkhitaryan. United and Arsenal both want him to be part of the package heading in the opposite direction. The hang-up is that Mkhitaryan hasn’t yet agreed to contract terms with Arsenal – and might not even want to move to London.

Mkhitaryan’s agent, the notorious Mino Raiola, gave an interview to The Times to brag about his role in the deal, and claim that it depends entirely on his client. He is quite clearly trying to extract more money out of Arsenal – both for Mkhitaryan, and, reportedly, for himself. But it does appear as if he will be a necessary part of the eventual agreement between United and Arsenal. In fact, Sky Sports is reporting that there will be no transfer fee; that the deal will be a straight-up, one-for-one trade.

Meanwhile, Antonio Conte was asked about Chelsea’s supposed interest, and whether it was legitimate, and said, “I don’t know, but I don’t think so.”

Theo Walcott | Arsenal —> Everton — Walcott, according to several reports, underwent an Everton medical on Tuesday night, and though the deal is not done, it is likely to be completed soon. The fee will reportedly be upwards of $27.5 million.

Andy Carroll | West Ham —> Chelsea — Apparently Chelsea’s interest in Carroll is real. Apparently the Blues are, upon West Ham’s insistence, on board with a permanent deal. And apparently they’re willing to pay over $40 million. Which, for a 29-year-old, oft-injured striker who has never proven he’s actually any good, would be patently absurd.

Rafinha | Barcelona —> Inter Milan — The 24-year-old Barcelona midfielder, a former top prospect whose rise has been hindered by long-term injuries, is known to be an Inter target. The club’s sporting director, Piero Ausilio, recently confirmed negotiations for the Brazilian were ongoing. Per Goal, an agreement is now close, and Rafinha will likely head to Italy.

In other Premier League transfer news, Southampton remains in talks with Monaco over a deal for striker Guido Carrillo, while Crystal Palace is still discussing a move for Senegalese striker Khouma Babacar with Fiorentina.

CHATTER

Bordeaux repelling Malcom talk — Amid widespread reports that the 20-year-old Brazilian forward is Arsenal’s top target, Bordeaux’s president went on record to say that “we never had a discussion with Arsenal. From our point of view, [the reports are] wind,” he continued. “They can always try, but they will have a hard time taking him from us.” That doesn’t mean Malcom won’t go to Arsenal, and it doesn’t mean reports are false, but perhaps the deal isn’t as close as some thought.

Emre Can denies Juventus agreement — Reports out of Italy last week suggest Can had agreed to join Juventus when his Liverpool contract expires this summer. According to Can himself, that’s not true. “My agent is looking after everything but I am here until the summer. I haven’t signed anything [with] anyone,” the German midfielder said after Sunday’s win over Man City. “I am talking with everyone, of course I am talking with Liverpool. Why not? I still have a contract here. It is an amazing club. What can I say? My agent does the rest.”

Maybe Ronaldo does want to leave Madrid? — Yesterday, we scoffed at the suggestion that Ronaldo wanted out at the Bernabeu. A day later, the line is all over newspapers and websites in Spain, England, and elsewhere. Ronaldo is reportedly frustrated that Real Madrid hasn’t given him a contract extension. He’s in search of a salary on par with Lionel Messi’s new lucrative deal at Barcelona

So perhaps there’s not nothing to this? The threat of Ronaldo leaving is likely more bargaining tactic than anything else. But at some point, there will be a contentious discussion to be had about whether Real should offer a soon-to-be 33-year-old – who’s under contract until 2021 anyway – the highest wages in the history of the sport. In football terms, the club absolutely shouldn’t. But can its brand afford to let the Portuguese megastar walk away?

Juan Mata’s future still murky — ESPN reports that United has not triggered its team option on Mata, which would extend the Spaniard’s contract by a year. But the report also says Mata wants to stay at Old Trafford, which means he likely will. It’s just a matter of coming to an agreement with the club.

RUMORS

Mauro Icardi | Inter Milan —> Real Madrid — Real is willing to pay Icardi’s $135.1 million release clause in order to bring the Argentinean striker to Madrid, according to Corriere dello Sport.

Daniel Sturridge | Liverpool —> Sevilla — Spanish outlet AS reports that, if Sevilla is unable to pry Michy Batshuayi away from Chelsea, Sturridge could be its Plan B.

Lucas Moura | PSG —> Napoli — With its pursuits of Bologna’s Simone Verdi and Barcelona’s Gerard Deulofeu reportedly stalling, Napoli has shifted its eyes toward PSG’s Brazilian winger, according to Sky Sports Italia.

Gelson Martins | Sporting CP —> Bayern Munich — Portuguese outlet O Jogo claims that Bayern will move for Martins in the summer.

Reiss Nelson | Arsenal —> PSG/Real Madrid — It’s probably not wise to put much stock into this, but the Daily Mail claims that both European superclubs are interested in the highly-rated 18-year-old.

James Maddison | Norwich City —> Premier League — Norwich has already lost Alex Pritchard to the Premier League. Now the Evening Standard reports that Man City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Leicester are all interested in the 21-year-old midfielder.

JANUARY’S TOP DONE DEALS

(Chronological order)

Lisandro Lopez | Benfica —> Inter Milan (loan)
Manuel Akanji | FC Basel —> Borussia Dortmund ($27 million)
Alex Pritchard | Norwich City —> Huddersfield Town ($16.6 million)
Yerry Mina | Palmeiras —> Barcelona ($14.2 million)
Francis Coquelin | Arsenal —> Valencia ($14.4 million)
Fousseni Diabate | Gazélec Ajaccio —> Leicester City ($4.8 million)
Renato Steffen | FC Basel —> Wolfsburg ($2 million)
Mark Uth | Hoffenheim —> Schalke (summer, free)
Moritz Bauer | Rubin Kazan —> Stoke City ($6.8 million)
Georges-Kevin Nkoudou | Tottenham —> Burnley (loan)
Kevin Mirallas | Everton —> Olympiacos (loan)
Philippe Coutinho | Liverpool —> Barcelona ($192.5 million)
Cenk Tosun | Besiktas —> Everton ($36.5 million)
Wesley Sneijder | Nice —> Al-Gharafa (undisclosed)
Ross Barkley | Everton —> Chelsea ($20.3 million)
Marko Pjaca | Juventus —> Schalke (loan)
Konstantinos Mavropanos | PAS Giannina —> Arsenal ($2.4 million)
Terence Kongolo | Monaco —> Huddersfield Town (loan)
Virgil van Dijk | Southampton —> Liverpool ($101.4 million)
Diego Costa | Chelsea —> Atletico Madrid (€71.5 million)
Adrien Silva | Sporting CP —> Leicester City ($29.8 million)

Previous rumor roundups: Jan. 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 15

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Henry Bushnell covers global soccer, and occasionally other ball games, for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Question? Comment? Email him at henrydbushnell@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @HenryBushnell.