The swap deal between Arsenal and Manchester United for Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Alexis Sanchez will reportedly cost both clubs in the region of £50m on wages alone.

Jose Mourinho orchestrated the move last January but neither player went on to have much success at their new clubs, with both swapping England for Serie A in the final week of the European transfer window.

Chilean winger Sanchez left Old Trafford to join Antonio Conte at Inter Milan, while Armenian captain Mkhitaryan moved to the Italian capital to join Roma.

According to the Daily Mail, the wage bill for both players has already reached £46.5m and with neither Italian side obligated to buy the players at the end of their loan spells, that sum could rise.

Former Barcelona forward Sanchez, who scored just five goals in 45 appearances for United, has already cost the Red Devils £24.9m in wages and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are forking out a further £6.5m this season to finance his loan to Inter.

Arsenal have got the slightly better end of the bargain with Mkhitaryan, as the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder has only cost £15.1m in wages and his salary this season is being covered by Roma, who have also paid the Gunners a £3.5m loan fee.