Reliable Spanish radio station RAC1 is reporting that Alexis Sanchez is close to moving to the Premier League, with Arsenal his main option. Fresh Arsenal understands the fee to be in the region of €40million (£32million). Liverpool have given up on signing the forward, which means if the player does indeed move to the Premier League, Arsenal will be the club who signs him. He is expected to sign a contract worth £140,000 per week.
Fresh Arsenal also understands that Luis Suarez has agreed to join Barcelona for around £75million. The deal is done and is just pending an official announcement. This will pave the way for Sanchez’s move to Arsenal to be completed. The only thing that could scupper a deal is a late big bid from Juventus. Arsenal are confident of completing the move though, with personal terms of around £140,000 per-week thought to have already been agreed in principle.
The BBC reported on Monday that Juventus were still keen on signing Alexis Sanchez, but Liverpool had all but given up hope of landing the Chilean. The Reds are now closing in on Lazar Marković in a £23million deal as they look to re-build following Suarez’s imminent departure.
Barcelona chief Andoni Zubizarreta told press on last week: ‘Regarding the future of Alexis Sanchez, there have been offers for the player,’. With Sport and other media outlets in Spain reporting Arsenal as the players ‘preferred destination’, it makes sense that one of these ‘offers’ are from Arsenal. It is understood Arsenal made an opening bid of €25million (£20million) which was turned down.
Wenger recently indicated his desire to player a striker alongside Giroud, and Sánchez has shown for his country that he has the ability to perform very well as a striker. He can also play on either wing, making him a very attractive addition to Arsenal’s frontline.
Arsenal will hope to unveil Sanchez as an Arsenal player along with their new PUMA kits on Thursday, and this is certainly not an unrealistic expectation.