Arsene Wenger announced Alexis Sanchez’s departure from Arsenal “is likely to happen” but added the Chilean will feature this weekend if a transfer does not materialise.

Manchester United and Chelsea have been heavily linked with a January move for the former Barcelona forward, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

And Wenger said at his press conference to preview Saturday’s clash with Crystal Palace: “It is a story that is well documented. I am not to add to that.

“It can happen, it can as well not happen – it is at that stage. If it doesn’t happen he will play on Saturday.

“I work on transfers for 30 years, it is likely to happen but at any moment things can breakdown.”

He added: “The wages (for Mkhitaryan) would not be a problem.

“This would be an exchange of players and I think one would replace the other. Are we still in the transfer market after that? Yes…”