Arsenal Transfer News: Alexis Sanchez Enquiry Made by Bayern Munich, Top Rumours

Bayern Munich have reportedly made "discreet enquiries" to sign Arsenal's attacking talisman Alexis Sanchez this summer. The Bundesliga giants are said to be looking for a sign Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is willing to sell.

The Daily Mirror's John Cross has the story: "They have yet to make a formal approach but their interest could be a worry for Arsenal as they look to tie down Sanchez to a new contract."

This is one move under-fire manager Wenger, no stranger to seeing his best players depart for new pastures over the years, must do all he can to prevent.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Sanchez might have endured a top-start campaign, but he remains pivotal to Arsenal's chances of securing major silverware in the next few seasons. The South American is the one genuine match-winner up front in Wenger's squad.

Sadly, he's received little support this season from misfiring strikers such as Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott. It didn't help that the former Barcelona ace missed two months with a hamstring injury suffered during a 1-1 draw against Norwich City in the Premier League back in late November.

The injury came after the start of Sanchez's second campaign at Arsenal was interrupted while he recuperated after featuring in last summer's Copa America, a tournament he won with Chile.

But while Sanchez has muddled his way through most of this season, he has looked more like his old, impressive self in recent matches. The wide forward bagged goals in league matches against Watford, Crystal Palace and a brace against West Bromwich Albion.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

For a player who has had a below-par campaign, Sanchez has still produced some excellent numbers, including 16 goals and 10 assists at club level, according to ESPN FC.

Wenger feels a subtle change in position has helped Sanchez get back to his best, per James Benge of the London Evening Standard:

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It is more natural for him than on the left. His game is a bit more predictable on the left, on the right he is unpredictable because he can go outside and inside. On the left he looks to always come inside and that’s easier to block. On the other hand, he is physically sharper and stronger, and that is very important when you are a striker.

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Regardless of where he plays though, Sanchez needs to be surrounded by better players in advanced areas next season.

Neither Giroud, Walcott, nor Danny Welbeck are prolific enough to adequately complement a true star of the game, even though the latter is the best current option alongside Sanchez.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

But new arrivals may be inevitable after the collapse of Arsenal's title challenge this season.

Cross' report also indicated Wenger and the Gunners are "close" on a deal for Borussia Monchengladbach's deep-lying playmaker Granit Xhaka. The journalist has also suggested Wenger will "spend big" and target a striker and a central defender.

Signing a marquee striker has to be the priority among that list of targets. Sanchez needs support, while Wenger's style of attacking football demands a frontman who can both score and provide goals.

If he's paired with one or two in that mould, Sanchez has the talent to fire the Gunners to a first league title since 2004. He can even improve the club's mediocre showings in European competitions.

Arsenal's ability to surround Sanchez with better players is sure to determine his immediate future in north London. Although he has two years left on his deal, there have been doubts Sanchez will commit to a new contract, despite Wenger believing both he and Ozil eventually will, according to Cross:

Football Insider editor Wayne Veysey has even reported the Gunners are "working on" handing fresh terms to both Sanchez and Ozil, as well as brittle playmaker Jack Wilshere.

But that may be trickier with Sanchez than Veysey imagines. This isn't the first time Bayern's interest in the player has been mooted.

Earlier this month, AS in Chile (h/t Benge of the Standard) reported incoming Munich chief Carlo Ancelotti has made Sanchez his top target. Playing for Ancelotti, a three-time UEFA Champions League winner, in a squad capable of winning that tournament every year, may be too tempting for Sanchez to pass up.

At the moment, he's consigned to helping the Gunners win their annual scrap just for the chance to qualify for the continent's premier club tournament.

Everything will hinge on how much Sanchez believes Arsenal are capable of winning the big prizes in the near future. If a better strike force is built around him, Wenger and the Gunners will be contenders.

If not, don't be surprised if Sanchez has his head turned by some of Europe's biggest clubs sooner rather than later.