Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Jack Wilshere and Alexis Sanchez Rumours

Manchester City will reportedly seek to lure Arsenal duo Jack Wilshere and Alexis Sanchez this summer, with new manager Pep Guardiola looking to form a title-winning squad.

That’s according to Simon Mullock of the Sunday Mirror, who has stated that the illustrious coach wants to “build his midfield” around Wilshere, while he also admires the Gunners’ Chile international forward. 

Mullock also wrote that City are willing to part with £40 million in order to sign the former, while Sanchez, who is said to have snubbed a £160,000-a-week deal, is keen on making the switch to the Etihad Stadium, according to “reports in Spain.” Guardiola signed the latter in 2011 during his time as Barcelona boss.

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Wishere has sat out the overwhelming majority of the 2015-16 term due to injury problems, although it’s clear he’s a huge talent. Football 365’s Daniel Storey summed up just how much football he has missed recently:

At the moment he looks to be fit and firing once again. Wilshere actually came on for Arsenal in their recent 2-2 draw with City, and while there were signs of rustiness, he played with an appetite for the game that few in the Premier League can match.

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It’s easy to see why Guardiola might seek to have the England international as the lynchpin in his team. Wishere is a brilliant technician, can carry the ball through phases of the field and has an eye for a pass in the final third. When he’s on the pitch and playing at full tilt, he’s the kind of footballer who can knit all facets of the team together.

However, as the gunnerblog Twitter feed noted recently, it’s been a long time since Wilshere set those standards in Arsenal colours:

Sanchez is another who would fit the Guardiola blueprint. The iconic coach loves to see his forward players pressing from the front and triggering the squeeze up the field that allows his sides to win the ball back so quickly. The former Barcelona man is an expert at this side of the game and a player Guardiola evidently rates.

Aside from his tireless work ethic and willingness to do the unheralded parts of the game, Sanchez also has a lot of quality with the ball at his feet. Bleacher Report’s James McNicholas recently summed up exactly why the Chilean is so important for the Gunners:

Arsenal, needless to say, will want to keep both players. Wilshere could have been a major asset to the team’s title chances this season, as they've missed someone with his bite and brilliance in the middle of the park. Sanchez may not have enjoyed his best campaign, although he’s still chipped in with some crucial goals.

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Manager Arsene Wenger has received a lot of criticism for selling on key players in the past, something that has hindered their push for top honours.

As James Dall of ESPN said during the clash between these two last Sunday, they’re each a way off challenging at the moment:

A £40 million bid for Wilshere would still be tempting for Arsenal. While he’s homegrown, familiar with the club and hugely effective on the field, he’s prone to injury problems. That kind of money for a player who has spent so much of his recent career in the treatment room would have to be considered.

Sanchez is almost indispensable, though. There are few players anywhere in world football who offer such a blend of positive traits in the final third. Still, if Guardiola is keen, the Chilean may jump at the chance to work alongside him again.