As Manchester United close in on top target Alexis Sanchez, they will have much to thank his agent for delivering his client to Old Trafford. If the deal finally goes through, it will be down to the efforts of Fernando Felicevich.
And Sanchez's agent will deserve every penny United are willing to offer. Felicevich has overseen all of Sanchez's moves so far, meeting the forward as a teenager at Cobreloa, in the Chilean mining town, Calama. Transfers to Udinese, Barcelona and Arsenal were all made possible by this man.
Despite a reported last-ditch effort from Chelsea, Manchester United are still firm favourites to land the Chile forward. Something that was unthinkable a few weeks ago when United first entered the race but is now closer than ever to completion. Runaway leaders City looked like beating their rivals in the marketplace as well as on the pitch. That is where Felicevich earned his lucrative cut in the deal that could take Sanchez to the red side of Manchester.
Because the Arsenal star's switch to the Etihad would have signified a power shift in the city, confirming Jose Mourinho's worst fears of the diminishing status of the club. Had Felicevich advised or even given Sanchez the slightest encouragement to sign for the Citizens, it would have happened, even if it meant waiting to become a free agent in the summer.
It is no doubt a signing the Red Devils need more than Pep Guardiola's undisputed side, who still remain on track to clinching the league title and are a more alluring prospect for the Chilean than the somewhat turbulent situation waiting for him in his 'Plan B' at Old Trafford. But United hold two aces: the possibility of a January exit and more money in the deal. Two factors that have been exploited by the player's representative.
Felicevich has managed to divert his client's attention from reuniting with a former manager he plainly admires and set him on course to join a presently inferior rival. The Chilean's adviser will earn Arsenal more than they expected to in the current transfer window and will allow United to beat City to a transfer that few believed possible. If the deal is completed, the agent is expected to receive upwards of £10million, and he will deserve every penny.