According to some reports in the football media this week, Arsene Wenger has not yet given up the attempt to persuade the Arsenal and Chile international star Alexis Sanchez to sign a bumper new contract with the Gunners. If that does not happen, the next big thing for Arsenal is to ensure that our star striker does not go to strengthen one of our major rivals in the English Premier League.
He probably did not mean to, but Alexis himself has significantly strengthened our position in that respect with his comments to the Chilean press on the possible transfer that were reported by the Evening Standard.
The 28-year old Gunner said, “I’m looking at what my agent is doing. For now, I’m focused on the Confederations Cup in Russia and trying to do well.
“The truth is that my agent will see to it. He knows and he will sit down with the club to look for the best option for me. I’d like a lot of things but I’m only thinking about the national team.”
The fact that our player has left things with his agent tells us that although he may want a move it is more about the quality of the deal rather than the club he joins. There may well be a stipulation that any club he joins is at least in the Champions League next season but it does not sound any more specific than that.
Add to this the news that the German champions Bayern Munich are interested and you can see why Arsenal now feel that we can block any prospective move to Man City, which Metro is reporting as the club’s steadfast position. This could make it a straight choice between Arsenal and Bayern and if Wenger gets his finger out and makes a few big signings, could that see Alexis playing for us again next season?
Bob.