Chelsea last night emerged as suitors for Arsenal contract rebel Sanchez.

Arsenal want to sell the player now rather than lose him for free at the end of the season.

Chelsea are understood to be willing to match Manchester United’s £35million offer for the Chilean.

But in a fresh twist, it appears as though the Blues have accepted they may be too late to the party.

According to the Independent, United’s deal with Sanchez is already ’75 per cent complete’.

The Red Devils have already drawn up a £350,000-a-week contract for the forward, which would make him their highest-paid player.

And Chelsea supposedly understand that United are confident of beating the Blues to the biggest bargain of the transfer window.

The Independent claim Chelsea have asked about Sanchez’s demands to see if they can meet his expectations before making an offer.

Negotiations between United and Arsenal, meanwhile, are said to be ‘complicated’ as the deal drags along.

Arsenal have failed to get Sanchez to sign a new contract and look set to lose the ex-Barcelona man by the end of the season whether manager Arsene Wenger likes it or not.

Express Sport understands United are still confident of signing Sanchez by this midweek and Jose Mourinho confirmed his interest after the 3-0 win over Stoke last night.

"No news on Alexis Sanchez,” Mourinho said.

“He is an Arsenal player, if he stays it's great for Arsenal, if he comes to us, great for us, if he goes to another club, great for them."

Henrikh Mkhitaryan could be thrown into any deal for Sanchez, although Wenger supposedly wants Anthony Martial as part of the move instead.