Alexis Sanchez has been linked with a move away from the Emirates after the Chilean reportedly refused a contract extension with the Gunners. With his future at the North London club uncertain, TheHardTackle identifies three clubs that could afford the 27-year-old and incorporate him into their plans.
Alexis Sanchez has delivered some outstanding performances for the Gunners since his arrival last season and his incredible work ethic, stamina, energy and skill on the ball is something that has endeared him to the Emirates faithful. However, with reports emerging of the forward refusing to commit his future to the cause of Arsene Wenger’s side, a summer exit from the club seems increasingly likely. The likes of Bayern Munich and Juventus have thus far expressed their interest in signing the Arsenal talisman.
In his 93 games for the Gunners, Sanchez has racked up 42 goals and 23 assists, helping the club to an FA Cup triumph in the process. A relatively ordinary second season with Arsenal has had the winger often questioning the desire of his team-mates to win the big competitions and bring home silverware.
These ramblings coming from one of his best players doesn’t bode well for Arsene Wenger, who will consider it a summer signing in itself if he manages to tie down the former Barcelona man to a contract extension at the Emirates. TheHardTackle takes a look at the three clubs Sanchez could join should he take the decision to leave the North Londoners in the summer.
Manchester City
Over the last five years, Arsenal have proved to be a feeder club of sorts to the two-time Premier League champions, with the Citizens offering the promise of increased remuneration and a more competitive squad. With Bacary Sagna in 2014 being the last player to make the move from North London to Manchester, the Citizens could take the route once more to acquire Sanchez from Arsenal.
Incoming City manager Pep Guardiola varies his tactics based on the team composition and the opponents’ style of play. However, if the tactics he employed at Barcelona and Bayern Munich are anything to go by, his reported interest in Alexis Sanchez is well and truly justified.
The tactically astute Spaniard, while employing different kinds of formations for the various opponents Bayern faced, emphasised on wide attacking play as a constant throughout his tenure at the Bavarian capital. The likes of Arjen Robben, and now Douglas Costa and Kingsley Coman, have thrived in Guardiola’s system at Bayern and with the kind of service they have received, it is little surprise Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski have turned out to be as lethal as they have been.
With City looking to lure Lewandowski to the Premier League, Guardiola could do with a winger of Alexis Sanchez’s quality in his ranks to service the Polish striker up front. The Chilean would certainly come as an upgrade over a uni-dimensional Jesus Navas, who has featured for the Citizens’ regularly owing to a lack of alternatives on that side of the park. Sanchez has already had a taste of the Guardiola scheme of things during his time at Barcelona and with the former Catalan manager still sharing his belief over the Arsenal man’s quality, the move in hindsight could benefit both the parties.
Juventus
A move back to the Italian Serie A is also on the cards for Sanchez with Juventus lining up the former-Udinese superstar as their winger to potentially service the likes of Christian Benteke in attack for the Old Lady next season. With Kingsley Coman on his two-year loan with Bayern Munich, the Serie A champions lack similar quality in their flanks and Sanchez could do the trick for Massimiliano Allegri’s men.
Juventus play a possession based football flooded with short passes and attacks down the center of the park as well as along the wings. Allegri also likes his side to be strong aerially in all areas of the field and with his interest in Benteke amidst Mario Manzukic’s departure, the Italian would like the legs and more quality along the wings that Sanchez brings to the fore. With Arsenal, the Chilean has even often played in a striker’s role which gives Juventus more options in other areas of the park. The former Barcelona forward could be a better option in the wings than Juan Cuadrado who has endured an ordinary season for the Italian champions.
The Old Lady look set to be raided this summer off a number of their star players with the likes of Paul Pogba and Alvaro Morata receiving immense interest from the rest of the European clubs. With Morata seemingly Arsenal’s No.1 target this summer, Juventus could probably include Sanchez in a possible swap-deal. The Bianconeri’s run to the final of last season’s Champions League was also a clear statement that the club are not simply just content to dominate domestically and their move move for Sanchez could prove testament to that.
Bayern Munich
Within Europe’s top leagues, if there was one place where success is virtually guaranteed, then it is in Bavaria – Bayern Munich have romped away with the Bundesliga yet again. The track record of incoming boss Carlo Ancelotti means few expect this to change.
The German champions have been linked to Sanchez over the course of the current season and the move is perfectly justified given the options in the wings incoming Carlo Ancellotti will have. In Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, the Bavarians probably have their greatest players over the last decade. However, at the age of 32 and 33 respectively, the two are beginning to succumb to age and injury. With Kingsley Coman and Douglas Costa remaining the only option along the flanks for the German champions, Sanchez could well come and fit in at the club in his designated spot in the left flank. The presence of Sanchez’s compatriot and friend, Arturo Vidal, who is a already a key man for Bayern should be further impetus for Alexis Sanchez to join Bayern should he harbour ambitions of lifting silverware at a continental scale.
Summer move imminent?
There is now cause to be concerned for Arsenal about the futures of big names like Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. The pair are yet to sign new contracts, which has led to growing speculation that Europe’s top clubs could be in for them this summer. Juventus have been linked with both players, and one could understand the temptation to join the Italian giants as they continue to establish themselves as a growing force in the game. And so have Bayern Munich and even French champions, Paris St.Germain have expressed their interest towards signing the Arsenal duo.
With that in mind, Arsene Wenger will know amidst his numerous transfer targets, he has a couple of negotiations pending at his very club and he must take some swift action about the future of his players as it would be in the best interests of both Arsenal and it’s players.
