Manchester United have leapfrogged bitter rivals Manchester City in the race to sign Chile superstar Alexis Sanchez.

The Gunners poster boy didn't travel with Arsenal's squad to Bournemouth this past weekend and is poised to make a stunning transfer to Manchester United.

Manager Arsene Wenger, without mentioning the identity of the club, has confirmed that he expects the deal to go through by Tuesday, January 16.

Of course, Manchester City were the front-runners to sign the Chilean, whose contract expires at the end of the season, but are now lagging behind United.

Arsenal want to sign a replacement before the Chilean departs the Emirates Stadium and their top candidate is one of the most promising wingers in the world, Malcom.

The 29-year-old will join the Red Devils for a fee of 30 million pounds and will earn 400,000 pounds every week.

According to reports in the British press, Chelsea and Liverpool were interested in signing Sanchez before United won the race for his signature.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : Twitter.com/Alexis_Sanchez