Arsenal Transfer News: Alexis Sanchez Targeted by Manchester City, Fresh Rumours
Manchester City are reportedly hoping to land Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez this summer at the behest of managerial target Pep Guardiola.
According to Jose Hernandez of Spanish outlet Fichajes (h/t Metro's George Bellshaw), Bayern Munich boss Guardiola—likely to leave the Bundesliga giants at the end of the season—has "ordered" City to capture the Chilean, whom the Spaniard signed during his tenure at Barcelona.
Bellshaw further notes the forward is also a target for Real Madrid, despite his past allegiance to the Camp Nou.
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The 26-year-old is perhaps only rivalled by Mesut Ozil for the mantle of the Gunners' best player and has proved a stunning capture for Arsenal since they brought him in ahead of the 2014-15 season.
In 72 appearances for Arsenal, Sanchez has managed to rack up 34 goals and 18 assists, including nine and six this season.
Football writer Miguel Delaney described him as a "world-class finisher" during the Gunners' 3-0 win over Manchester United earlier in the season:
As well as his clinical finishing, the forward possesses tremendous pace and skill, while his strength and tenacity further serve to make him a nightmare to defend against.
As the Gunners' only world-class forward option, it's crucial he be kept at the Emirates Stadium if the club are to continue building a side capable of challenging for the title each year.
City's interest is, of course, understandable given his quality, particularly after having success in recruiting from Arsenal in the past, per Bellshaw.
Further, Sanchez could serve as an alternative to the injury-prone Sergio Aguero as a player of both similar talent and, to an extent, style.
With Sanchez in their squad, he—unlike the taller, slower and less technically gifted Wilfried Bony—could serve as a direct replacement for the Argentinian in his absence, and the team would not have to adapt their style to accommodate a vastly different frontman as they do now.
Equally, the prospect of Sanchez lining up next to Aguero, along with the pacey Raheem Sterling and the creative duo of David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne behind them, is a mouthwatering one indeed.
Regardless of whether they're able to land Guardiola or not, Sanchez would make an incredible signing, though he'd likely be far less inclined to make the move if the Spaniard isn't there.
The Gunners have often seen their best and brightest cherry-picked by richer clubs in recent times—Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie among them—however, manager Arsene Wenger is now confident the club's strong financial position now ensures they can afford to keep hold of their stars.
That resolve has yet to be tested, but Arsenal most likely will do their utmost to keep Sanchez at the Emirates, and rightly so.
Indeed, the Gunners could do with adding to their front line rather than taking away from it. To that end, they've scouted Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi but are also facing stiff competition from archrivals Tottenham Hotspur, per the Mail (h/t the Mirror).
The 22-year-old has 13 goals and five assists to his name this season, and his pace and dribbling skill would be useful assets for Arsenal, particularly in bigger games where the Gunners may resort to hitting teams on the break.
A bidding war for the youngster seems inevitable if he can maintain his highly promising development. Should Arsenal recruit the player, they'll have dealt a significant blow to their Premier League and European rivals alike.
