In another sensational update in the Alexis Sanchez saga, Chelsea have entered the race for the Arsenal superstar, who is nearing a switch to Manchester United.
According to Manchester Evening News, the Alexis Sanchez transfer saga is set for an unprecedented twist. After it seemed like the Arsenal superstar was on his way to Manchester United with Manchester City pulling out of the race, there are reports that Chelsea have entered the chase for the wantaway Chilean.
Alexis Sanchez has been tipped to leave for Arsenal for a while now. However, throughout the summer and leading upto January, there was only one club touted to be his next destination – Manchester City. Everything seemed done and dusted, with Alexis Sanchez even agreeing personal terms to reunite with Pep Guardiola at his new project at Etihad.
Manchester United entered the scene, with the Red Devils ready to meet Arsenal’s steep asking price, given that the Chilean has only six months left on his contract. Unwilling to raise their offer for Arsenal and Alexis Sanchez as well, Manchester City have pulled out of the race for the 29-year-old.
Manchester United’s need for an attacker is indeed far bigger than Manchester City’s at the moment. And with United needing to play the catch-up act, along with their necessity to act on the opportunity to add a quality winger to their squad, their willingness to pay somewhat over-the-odds seems justified.
Alexis Sánchez will join Manchester United as part of a swap deal including Henrikh Mkhitaryan. (Source: Le10 Sport) pic.twitter.com/ElVWB3K6Xb
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) January 15, 2018
With Manchester United now primed to land Alexis Sanchez, everything seemed to be pointing towards the Arsenal superstar heading to Old Trafford. But, Chelsea’s entry might just bring a whole new twist to this transfer saga, which seems to be stretching for far too long.
Chelsea, like Manchester United, also have the need to add to their attacking options. The Blues have failed to open their account in their last 3 games and their struggles in front of goal has been expected to an extent, with their failure in the transfer market touted as one of the biggest causes.
While Chelsea are unlikely to have a problem in mustering up the fee to match Manchester United, they will have to break their wage structure in order to incorporate Alexis Sanchez’s wage demands.
One major bone of contention that may arise will be that, even if Chelsea do accept the Arsenal contract rebel’s wishes, it might drive other key stars like Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois and N’Golo Kante to ask for pay parity as well.
Worth remembering #cfc‘s current top earner is Eden Hazard on £200,000-a-week. Alexis Sanchez wants £350,000-a-week plus.
— Simon Johnson (@sjstandardsport) January 15, 2018
Alternatively, Chelsea’s hierarchy might be pursuing Alexis Sanchez in order to deliver Antonio Conte a superstar and hence, ease tensions between the board and the manager, arising mainly from the club’s inability to land the manager’s targets in the recent windows.
Manchester United do remain in the lead and there are reports to suggest a deal might already have been done between United and Arsenal. But, Chelsea could try to play spoilsport – a prospect that does look unlikely given their restrictive wage structure.