AFP,  LONDON: Jose Mourinho believes Chilean star Alexis Sanchez will sign for Manchester United, he said on Saturday.

Sanchez is set to move to United in a blockbuster deal that will reportedly make him the Premier League's highest paid player.

United will reportedly pay £35 million (39.6 million euros, $48.5 million) for Sanchez, a £20 million transfer fee to Arsenal and £15 million to the player's agent Fernando Felicevich.

United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is said to have agreed to join Arsenal as part of the deal.

Mourinho, speaking after United's 1-0 win at Burnley, said he expected the 29-year-old two-time Copa America winner to complete the move.

“If you ask me if I think he is coming, I think so, but I have no confirmation,” the Portuguese told the BBC.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirmed Sanchez's sale was close to completion following his team's 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace.

Wenger left Sanchez out of his squad because the player has travelled to Manchester ahead of his move.