In January, Alexis Sanchez will enter the last six months of his Arsenal contract. That means the winter transfer window will be the Gunner’s last opportunity to recoup any cash for their star player.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was adamant in the summer that he wouldn’t sell the Chilean international and while that proved to be correct as he did indeed stay, it was widely reported that Manchester City were close to signing the player in the last week of the transfer window. 

Could City’s failure to sign their supposed top target come back to hunt them?

No doubt Pep Guardiola will come back in for the forward in January but will city and title rivals Manchester United compete for Sanchez signature come the winter?

Jose Mourinho will have various reasons for keeping tabs on the situation.

Firstly, Alexis Sanchez is a world class talent and Man United are always interested in players who can play at the highest level and make an impact.

Then there’s the fact that the attacker can play out wide, through the middle or in behind a top striker like Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Jose loves a player who brings plenty of versatility to his squads. United were desperate to bring in another wide-man with Ivan Perisic heavily linked with the Red Devils back in the summer months. Sanchez would also offer up valuable English top flight experience.

Sanchez has a great skill-set and has the ability to change the biggest of fixtures. Yes he can be a bit many but I think that’s because he has a huge passion for the game and wants to win everything. Last term the Chilean dynamo scored twenty-four Premier League goals and ten assists, what team wouldn’t want that type of impact star in their team?

Another plus could be the price, with his deal running out and Alexis clearly stating that he won’t sign a new contract at the Emirates. That could mean that Arsenal might be tempted to sell. But unfortunately for the Gunners they can’t command the same fee they could have last year or even in the summer. A potential suitor might be able to get Sanchez for £20m-£25m if Wenger agrees to sell.

Finally, a huge plus point in Jose’s eyes could be getting one over Pep and City. At the moment it seems as though the league title will be a straight fight between the two Manchester clubs. United might look at signing Sanchez as not only improving their squad but also weakening Guardiola’s title ambitions. It could be seen as United once again shutting up their noisy neighbour.

There could be a few stumbling points if Mourinho and the Man United hierarchy decide to test Arsenal’s resolve in January.

After a disappointing start to the season the Gunners have regrouped and currently sit in fifth place in the league table, only goal difference keeps them out of the Champions League places. If that remains the case in early 2018, then I doubt they’ll want to sell their best player (even if he kicks up another fuss!). The hit they’ll take in losing Alexis for nothing next summer will be softened substantially if they regain a place in next season’s Champions League.

You then have to remember the bitter grudge that exists between Arsenal boss Wenger and United gaffer Mourinho. I seriously doubt the Frenchman would want to help Mourinho to a league crown by handing over such a talented player in Sanchez.

Although interestingly Jose gave the North London club and Wenger special praise in the summer:

“I think Mr Wenger got exactly what every manager wants. A strong club, two more years of contract and conditions to try to win titles. Fantastic treatment from the Arsenal board. That is what he deserves and that is what every manager wants.”

Man City won’t sit back and let Man Utd have a free run at Sanchez. The recent injury to Sergio Aguero shows why Pep wanted the forward to head north in the first place, so that need is only greater now. City will probably go out and match any United offer, they’ll then use Pep’s previous relationship with the forward and their long interest in him as a way of convincing him that he should join the Citizens.

I believe that both United and City will try and sign Alexis Sanchez to a Bosman deal in early January. Once he agrees to join one of them (or another side), then I’d fully expect the winning team to go all out in trying to persuade Arsenal to sell him early.

Whether or not that happens, remains to be seen. But I wouldn’t be surprised to see both Manchester clubs vying for his signature in the hope that the Chilean maestro can help bring them the Premier League trophy come May!

 

Posted on October 7th, 2017 by scott
Filed under: Article