The staggering terms of Alexis Sanchez's contract at Manchester United can be revealed, as the Chile star's career continues to stagnate at Old Trafford.
The astronomical deal United offered Sanchez when he signed from Arsenal 19 months ago made him the highest paid player in the Premier League. But it is now proving to be a major obstacle in finding a new club prepared to take on the 30-year-old.
The total bill for signing Sanchez could potentially cost United up to £560,000 per week, once all aspects of the four-and-a-half-year deal are factored in. Sportsmail has learned that he earns a basic salary of £300,000 a week, plus an additional net payment of £100,000 a week from a £5million-a-year image rights deal.
United must also pay £5m in agent's fees over the course of the contract to the player's representative Fernando Felicevich. That's the equivalent of £21,370 a week.
It's understood the club inserted a £5m clause into the deal, payable if Sanchez makes 30 starts in a single season — even though he started only 13 times in all competitions last term.
Additional bonuses and employers' national insurance payments take the potential overall figure to £560,000 a week if Sanchez is successful.
As it is, Sanchez has flopped dramatically — scoring just five goals in 45 games for United. But the terms are still proving prohibitive to any clubs looking to take a player who has three years left on his contract.
As much as Sanchez wants to make a fresh start elsewhere, he is unlikely to take a pay cut. The former Udinese forward has been linked with a return to Italy with Juventus, Inter Milan or Napoli before the European transfer window closes on September 2.
None, though, want to pay a big transfer fee or match Sanchez's salary. So United face having to subsidise a significant chunk of his wages if he goes on loan.