Inter Milan have announced they have signed Alexis Sanchez permanently, without paying a penny.

The move frees up £25million for the Red Devils in wages after he joined from Arsenal in January 2018 before flopping miserably at Old Trafford.

Inter said in a statement:

“FC Internazionale Milano announces that Alexis Sanchez is moving to the Nerazzurri outright free of charge.

“The Chilean striker has signed a contract with the Club until 30 June 2023.”

Alexis moved to the Serie A club on a one-season loan in August 2019 and has made 29 appearances for the San Siro side, scoring four goals.

Upon his arrival in northern Italy, he linked up with former United team-mate Romelu Lukaku and they were later joined by Ashley Young, with the trio playing their part in Inter’s second-place league finish following Serie A’s resumption.

Alexis became the first Chilean to play a competitive game for United after moving from Arsenal in January 2018, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan heading in the opposite direction.

The 31-year-old scored five goals in 45 appearances for the Reds, with highlights including two assists in the remarkable 3-2 comeback win away to Manchester City in April 2018, the opening goal in our 2-1 Emirates FA Cup semi-final win over Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley, later that month, and the first goal in the 3-1 FA Cup victory over his former club Arsenal at the Emirates in January 2019.