Alexis Sanchez Reportedly Targeted by Manchester United for January Transfer

Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez has emerged as one of the players David Moyes wants to bring to Manchester United in January, according to Jack Wilson of the Daily Star.

Moyes is expected to make a series of big-money moves during the next transfer window in order to make up for the disappointments of United’s summer dealings, when they missed out on a host of world-class names.

Sanchez, according to Wilson, has been identified as a solution to the club’s current lack of invention out wide. Therefore, Moyes will prepare a substantial bid to tempt Barcelona. Wilson writes:

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Manchester United are ready to splash out £22 million on Barcelona wing wizard Alexis Sanchez.

David Moyes has been let down by widemen Antonio Valencia, Nani and Ashley Young since taking over at Old Trafford. Wilfried Zaha, meanwhile, hasn't got a sniff of first-team action and is likely to join Newcastle on loan.

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Ironically, United’s interest in Sanchez emerges at a time when he is arguably playing his best football for Barcelona.

The Chilean has scored 30 goals in 97 appearances for the Spanish giants since joining three years ago, but has regularly struggled to hold down a first-team spot.

Lionel Messi and Pedro have often been preferred to Sanchez, while David Villa, Cristian Tello, Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta and Neymar have all plugged the third spot in Barca’s attack.

However, this season, Sanchez has already netted four goals and he recently produced a super cross to set up Fabregas’ winner in their 1-0 Champions League win at Celtic.

The issue for Sanchez in Barcelona’s setup is his style of play. Typically a very direct winger with fantastic dribbling skills, Sanchez does not always fit the rapid passing style of the Catalans.

If Moyes was able to lure him to United, it would represent a major coup for the reigning Premier League champions. United play a much more direct style, asking current wingers Antonio Valencia and Nani to hit the byline and whip crosses into the area.

That would suit Sanchez, who is extremely comfortable operating from the right flank in a three-pronged attack.

United had attempted to sign the 24-year-old under Sir Alex Ferguson, per ESPNFC, but Sanchez chose the Camp Nou. He has won a league title and Copa Del Rey in Spain but has not truly justified his £30 million fee.

Moyes undoubtedly needs fresh creativity out wide, with Nani too inconsistent and Valencia often too predictable due to his lack of a left foot.

Wilfried Zaha has not been given a chance and is clearly deemed too raw to throw into first-team action, so United will be expected to attack the market aggressively to sign a player of Sanchez’s ilk.