Transfer News: Chelsea , PSG open talks with Alexis Sanchez

Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly initiated negotiations with Alexis Sanchez as the Chilean looks set to exit Arsenal in the summer.

French publication RMC Sport have claimed that Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have already initiated talks with Alexis Sanchez over a potential summer move. The Chilean is yet to agree to a new deal at Arsenal and looks set to exit the club, with a host of top European clubs vying for his signature.

Arsenal have failed to convince Alexis Sanchez of their project at Emirates and have also failed to adhere to the Chilean’s wage and contractual demands. The reports linking the attacker with a summer exit have been rife and it seems the Gooners may have to face with the prospect of another player joining their rivals.

Alexis Sanchez and Arsenal looked imperious this season, with the Gunners proving to be the best rival for Chelsea in the title race earlier on. However, while the Chilean has maintained his form, the latter has petered out, of the title race and even the top-four, as they find themselves sixth on the Premier League table at the present moment.

There are genuine concerns over Arsenal finally failing to make the top-four after a decade-long consistency, which has fueled the supporters’ fury more, especially with Wenger’s future still up in the air, as the fans rally behind the cause to see the Frenchman depart the club in the summer.

Chelsea would love to get a hold of Alexis Sanchez. Diego Costa looks set to exit the club in the summer and Eden Hazard has also been linked with a move to Real Madrid. Alexis Sanchez is perhaps the closest in terms of skill-set to Eden Hazard currently in the Premier League and would be an ideal replacement, if the Belgian does depart.

Even if Hazard stays, Alexis Sanchez could work out brilliantly as an upgrade to Pedro, making the pairing of Hazard and Alexis perhaps the deadliest one in the Premier League. And along with either Diego Costa or a new striker, the three could form a lethal trio for next campaign.

22 goals and 18 assists in 39 appearances, Alexis Sanchez’s stats blow others out of the water and his displays have also gotten PSG interested. The French outfit is looking for quality player to lead their attack and while Edinson Cavani has done a good job, Zlatan is still sorely missed by the defending champions.

The fact that Arsenal would not want to let Alexis move to another Premier League club, let alone their rivals, could tip the hat in favour of PSG. Alexis will have one year left on his deal come summer and with Arsenal resigned to lose the player, the Gunners are reportedly set to slap a £50 million price tag on the Chilean.

The figure, though, is unlikely to deter anyone. The attacker is 28 and can still provide 4 years of top-class football, at the very least. And if his form is anything to go by, the Chilean is likely to repay the amount with dividends on the pitch for whichever club he ends up with.

The duo have begun negotiations with the player’s camp but formal talks between clubs are likely to commence after the season ends. By then, though, we may see other top clubs arrive and stake a claim in the transfer battle to land Alexis Sanchez.