Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Alexis Sanchez and Chris Smalling

Arsenal have reportedly reached an impasse with Alexis Sanchez in talks over a new contract, with Manchester City and Juventus said to be monitoring the situation.

According to Steve Stammers of the Sunday Mirror, the Gunners have been in discussions about an extension with the Chile international since August, with his current deal set to expire in the summer of 2018. However, little progress is said to have been made.

That’s reportedly spiked the interest of City and Juve. Stammers said Arsenal will be “certain” to move the 27-year-old on in the summer should he fail to agree to an extension, with a possible fee of £50 million noted.

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Since moving to Arsenal from Barcelona in the summer of 2014, Sanchez has become a key man at the Emirates Stadium. This season, he’s underlined his importance with some excellent displays as the most advanced player in the Gunners setup.

As we can see here, courtesy of OptaJoe, it’s a move that’s prompted some sparkling recent form from the Chilean:

So suggestions that Sanchez could leave will concern those tied to Arsenal. There aren’t many players who offer so much in the final third in the Premier League, with the forward able to score goals, create chances and unsettle opponents with his insatiable appetite for hard work.

With so many positive attributes, it’d be little surprise if City and Juve were interested in Sanchez. For Arsenal and their supporters, the longer Sanchez goes without agreeing new terms at the Emirates, the more pertinent concerns about a departure will become.

Chris Smalling Linked

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According to Steve Bates in the Sunday Mirror, Arsenal are interested in Manchester United’s Chris Smalling.

It’s suggested the defender has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford after a row with manager Jose Mourinho; the Portuguese recently suggested some of his players were unwilling to put their bodies on the line for the cause, with Smalling one of those omitted from the win over Swansea City on Nov. 6.

Bates noted that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has long been an admirer of Smalling and would look to land him despite the Gunners' capture of Shkodran Mustafi in the summer.

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It’s stated that representatives from Smalling’s camp are unhappy he’s been publicly chastised by Mourinho. The defender could be set for a month out with a broken toe, according to Dominic King of the Daily Mail.

Smalling has performed well for United over a couple of tough previous seasons for the team. However, Bleacher Report’s Rob Blanchette believes the Red Devils need better players in central defence:

From Arsenal’s perspective, his acquisition would add more depth to a position the Gunners have traditionally struggled in but now have plenty of options. Indeed, aside from the aforementioned duo, Wenger would also be able to call upon Per Mertesacker on his return from injury, as well as Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista.

But with that quality in mind, it’d be a surprise to see Arsenal launch what would surely be a costly pursuit of Smalling. United would likely also be unwilling to let the centre-back depart for a bitter rival.