It has been a while since Chelsea were last seriously linked with Arsenal’s Alexis Sánchez as Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and PSG took the Blues’ place as potential front-runners for the 28-year-old’s signature. But it doesn’t really matter as Arsène Wenger remains adamant that Alexis isn’t going anywhere, and certainly not to another Premier League team, and that Arsenal are more than willing to simply let him see out the final year of his contract without receiving any compensation in the end next summer, as silly as that may be.
Sánchez told Arsenal will not sell him to Manchester City or Chelsea, reports @MattHughesTimes #AFC #MCFC #CFC https://t.co/KYDtFpJqo2 pic.twitter.com/wEgFHfcahY
— Times Sport (@TimesSport) August 2, 2017
According to Matt Hughes’ report in the Times, Wenger, unlike Chelsea, is far from keen on reinforcing a direct rival despite Alexis apparently making it clear to his teammates that he does not want to stay at the club. Wenger might consider a sale outside the Premier League, but Bayern appear to be done signing players and PSG are about to turn the football world upside down with their outrageous acquisition of Neymar. (Then again, they’re clearly not worried about FFP, so they just might have some “state-backed” funds left over for Sanchez.)
After an extended holiday and a conveniently timed and then suddenly cured illness, Alexis was back at training for the first time all summer this week. With the season just ten days away, Wenger will be hoping he can get up to speed quickly. Alexis is not expected to play a major part in the Community Shield coming up on Sunday against Chelsea.