Italian champions Juventus have made a €30 million bid with additional performance-related bonuses in their first attempt to land coveted Arsenal midfielder Alexis Sanchez. However the Gunners are reluctant to let go of the player for less than €40 million.
Alexis Sanchez had a phenomenal debut season for Arsenal in 2014-15, but last season was largely disappointing. After getting off to a flying start, the Chilean was waylaid by injury mid-season, and when he finally returned to action, seemed to be fighting a lone battle as Arsenal’s title hopes slowly evaporated. The midfielder scored a crucial goal against Tottenham in the North London derby and then went on to score in four consecutive league games in April, but his efforts came to naught as Leicester City pipped the Gunners to the Premier League title.
According to Italian publication Calciomercato, Sanchez’ agent Fernando Felicevich has now told Arsenal that his client wants to leave London. The report goes on to say that the 27-year old Chilean wants a return to the Serie A, where he played for Udinese in the nascent stages of his career and that Serie A champions Juventus have offered Arsenal €30 million with additional performance-related bonuses for Sanchez.
Arsenal would be loath to lose their midfield talisman, especially after his superb performances for Chile in the Copa America Centenario. Chile won the Copa America for the second year in a row, while Sanchez received the Golden Ball award for best player of the tournament for his dominant performances in midfield.
With two seasons where the Premier League and Champions League campaigns have been frustrating for Arsenal, Sanchez would see the move to Juventus as a chance to win trophies again, having already won two trophies with his country.
The Chilean’s contract runs till 2018 so the Gunners have enough time to try and persuade him to stay, but if the reports that he is unsettled at the club are true, then Juventus could land the midfielder with an improved bid.