Arsenal Transfer News: Fresh Rumours on Isco and Alexis Sanchez

Arsenal are reportedly set to step up their interest in Real Madrid midfielder Isco once again, with the Spain international said to still be unhappy at the Santiago Bernabeu.

That’s according to Steve Bates of the Sunday People (via the Mirror), who has suggested the Gunners are ready to capitalise on the player’s frustrations. Bates added Arsenal may even look to strike a loan deal next month, before a possible permanent summer switch of around £25 million.

“The Spanish giants are keen for Isco, whose contract runs out in June 2018, to sign a new deal,” the report continued. “But sources in Spain claim that is more to protect the value of their midfield asset than a sign that he has a long-term future at the Bernabeu.”

This campaign has been a similar story for Isco. At times he’s showcased the technical ability that’s made him so popular among Madridistas, most notably in the 3-0 win against Atletico Madrid last month. Here’s a reminder of how good he was that night:

But those types of displays haven’t been witnessed frequently enough, and, as such, Isco still finds himself rotated in and out of the team by manager Zinedine Zidane. As these numbers from OptaJose illustrate, the 24-year-old has had plenty of chances to show the manager his worth:

A move to a club where he would feature week after week would surely assist in bringing out the best in him on a more consistent basis. Perhaps that’s where Arsenal feel as though they could assist the player.

After all, Arsene Wenger’s sides are packed with elegant, flair players that’d aid the ex-Malaga man. Should Isco opt to leave Real Madrid, it’s easy to see him fitting in at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal to Increase Alexis Sanchez Offer

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According to Rob Draper of the Mail on Sunday, Arsenal will offer Alexis Sanchez in excess of £200,000-a-week in an attempt to convince him to sign a new deal at the club.

The Chilean’s terms expire at the Emirates in 2018, and there have been suggestions Sanchez will be offered an enormous wage by Chinese Super League clubs, as noted by Draper. Arsenal will reportedly “do all they can to ensure that he does not leave the club.”

It’s noted that Sanchez enjoys life in London and the challenge of the Premier League; Arsenal are hoping those factors, plus their aforementioned offer, will convince him to stay. The forward recently suggested he still has a lot to accomplish at the club:

If Sanchez was to leave Arsenal, replacing him would be a near impossible task. Football journalist Sergi Dominguez believes he’s been one of the two best players in English football so far this season:

A haul of 12 goals at this point in the campaign is certainly impressive, although Sanchez brings much more to a team than just goalscoring. He harries opposition defenders into errors, wins tackles and chases lost causes all over the pitch. It’s an infectious work ethic.

The Gunners may be at loath to pay such a premium to keep Sanchez on board, but the longer this contract wrangle draws on, the more pressure will be heaped on the club. Simply, the money is the going rate for world-class footballers in the modern game, and while it may be expensive to keep him around, their No. 7 undoubtedly belongs in that category.