Alexis Sanchez is reportedly set to stay at Arsenal next season, but could move to Chelsea on a Bosman transfer unless things improve
According to a report in the Daily Mirror, Alexis Sanchez is ready to stay with Arsenal for one more season, but will take a call on his future at the Emirates if the Gunners fail to prove their ambitions in the summer’s transfer window.
Sanchez has been the standout player for Arsenal in what has been a tumultuous season for the North London club. The Chilean has taken his new role as the focal point of attack with much aplomb, bagging 22 goals and 18 assists in 40 matches across all competitions – a direct contribution in every game on average.
However, Arsenal’s campaign has spiralled out of control since the turn of the year, as they crashed out of the Champions League at the last 16 stages in an embarrassing manner and sit four points adrift of a place in the top 4 in the Premier League.
To make matters worse for them, recent reports have stated that Sanchez already has one foot out of the exit door at the Emirates. The 28-year-old has been embroiled in a contract standoff with the club since the early days of this season, and as the months have worn on he has looked like an embattled figure while playing for them.
With his future mired in uncertainty, a number of top clubs across Europe have been making a beeline to land him in the summer. The likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and PSG have been heavily linked with Sanchez, but Chelsea are believed to be the front runners in the race to sign him.
In fact, Chelsea have already initiated talks with Sanchez over a possible move having made him their top priority for the summer transfer window, with Sanchez himself reported to be keen on a cross-London move.
A possible move would have the Chelsea fans licking their lips at the prospect of seeing Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and Sanchez – a trio that can measure up to the likes of BBC and MSN – combine next season.
But according to the report by the Mirror, Sanchez is prepared to stay with Arsenal for one more year – the final season in his contract with the club – and is challenging them to make major improvements in order to win titles in 2017/18.
Should they fail to make a statement of intent, Sanchez will run out his contract with the club and move to Chelsea as a free agent. The Chilean international has already signalled his intention on staying in London, which further makes the Blues the favourites to land him in case of a transfer.
The onus is now on Arsenal to make a definitive change in their ways and become genuine contenders for the Premier League title, or they risk losing Sanchez in 2018. For now though, it looks like he could remain with the Gunners for one more season.
