The overstretched contract saga of Arsenal attacker Alexis Sanchez has baffled the supporters regarding the future of the Chilean who will be a free agent next summer and has already rejected offers to extend his stay at the Emirates.
Arsenal, having missed out on a top four finish for the first time in two decades, are desperate to keep hold of their best resource who netted 30 times last season across all competitions and played a pivotal role in their 13th FA Cup triumph.
But the player has reiterated his desire to feature in the prestigious Champions League that the Gunners are unable to offer him for the forthcoming season and the ex-Barcelona star is eyeing an ambitious move to Premier League heavyweights Manchester City in order to reunite with the former gaffer Pep Guardiola for the purpose of achieving greater glory.
“I’ve already taken my decision, but now I depend on Arsenal and to see what they want. My idea is to play in and win the Champions League. It’s a dream that I’ve had since I was small. For now I’m at Arsenal and my contract finishes in another year.”
The 28-year old winger has made his intentions clear in a recent interview.
But Arsene Wenger, the veteran Frenchman is adamant to block his move and wants him to be a part of their revival.
“The decision has been made and we will stick to that. The decision is not to sell.”
Will it be a right decision to retain a disgruntled player and risk losing him for free next summer?
Sanchez, although has expressed his desire to take part in Champions League football, the Gunners’ boss has blamed the media for misinterpreting his statement.
“I don’t give too much importance to things that are translated, you know. The whole interview that I got didn’t really mean that.”
Sanchez, however, has not handed in a transfer request so far and Wenger has urged him to fulfil his European dreams by guiding them back into Champions League. Arsenal could have grabbed an amount in excess of £50 mil for him with only 12 months left on his contract, but it will be an uphill task to regain a place in ‘Top four’ without their prized asset.
The North Londoners are spending big this summer and completed a club record £52.7 mil swoop for French international Alexandre Lacazette following his sensational scoring run for Ligue 1 outfit Olympic Lyon.
Also, former Schalke 04 left back Sead Kolasinac has joined them on a Bosman transfer and Wenger is keen on Monaco sensation Thomas Lemar as well who had a stellar show in their Ligue 1 winning campaign.
Despite all new signings, Arsenal will further jeopardise their European hopes in absence of Alexis Sanchez and his stay will be a strong message to Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arsenal’s two other contract rebels, who have also refused new deals and decided to depart upon expiration of their current contract.
An exhilarating campaign might allow them to rethink their unyielding stance and eventually confirm their stay beyond next season.
