ALEXIS SANCHEZ snubbed Jose Mourinho’s sensational bid to hijack his transfer to Manchester City.

It emerged yesterday Manchester United offered £25million plus £30m midfield flop Henrikh Mkhitaryan for Arsenal’s wantaway striker — outbidding their bitter neighbours.

7 Jose Mourinho looks set to end empty handed in his chase for Alexis Sanchez - but could make Man City pay over the odds for him Credit: Getty - Contributor

United were also ready to better City’s £275,000-a-week salary terms but Sanchez only wants a move to the Etihad.

Arsenal are holding out for £35m, meaning City must increase their offer by £15m to land the Chilean this month.

Sanchez, 29, thought he had sealed a £60m move last summer to team up again with ex-Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola at City.

But Arsenal pulled the plug late on transfer deadline day after being snubbed by Monaco target Thomas Lemar.

7 Alexis Sanchez and Pep Guardiola have known each other since they worked together at Barcelona Credit: EMPICS Sport

7 Alexis Sanchez played for Arsenal against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup Credit: Getty Images - Getty

City was prepared to wait until the end of the season, when Sanchez will be a free agent, before going back for their man.

They want Sanchez now because of Gabriel Jesus’ knee injury and the chance to win an unprecedented quadruple.

City are set to bag a third Premier League title but could also add the Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

Although Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger publicly claims he can convince Sanchez to sign a new deal, there is no chance of the forward staying at the Emirates beyond this summer.

7 Jose Mourinho looks set to miss out on Alexis Sanchez with Manchester United unable to attract yet another top player Credit: PA:Empics Sport

7 Pep Guardiola looks in pole place to re-unite with a player he managed at Barcelona Credit: Reuters

7 Arsene Wenger was in the stands serving a touchline ban during Arsenal's game with Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-finals Credit: PA:Press Association

Arsenal's battle to tie Alexis Sanchez to a new contract has been a long rollercoaster ride for Arsene Wenger

Wenger left the player out of his line-up in Wednesday’s 0-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg draw with Chelsea but stressed: “The team selection had nothing to do with the transfer market.

“People don’t know Alexis. This is a guy who is completely focused to play football and gives 100 per cent.

“Does he sign (for Arsenal) now or does he sign in June? What is important is the next game and that you can rely on him.

“I want him to stay for longer because he’s a very important player for us.”

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United boss Mourinho has moaned Old Trafford chiefs are struggling to match City’s spending power — despite splashing out £300m since he took charge in 2016.

United’s offer is understood to have been tabled last week but only came to light yesterday.

Sanchez has been linked with a move to Old Trafford twice before — when he left Udinese for Barcelona in a £23m deal in 2011, and again when he joined Arsenal three years later for £33m.

The Gunners hitman has already knocked back astonishing £400,000-a-week offers to join French giants Paris Saint-Germain or the Chinese Super League.