Arsenal Transfer News: Alexis Sanchez Tipped for La Liga Return in the Summer

Alexis Sanchez will reportedly quit Arsenal in the summer and move back to La Liga, with Sevilla and Atletico Madrid interested. The former Barcelona star is said to have made up his mind to leave the Gunners, regardless of whether manager Arsene Wenger signs a new contract or not.

In an exclusive for the Daily Star, Sevilla" target="_blank">David Woods has reported Sanchez will turn his back on the Gunners due to the squad's failings domestically and in Europe: "Chile ace Sanchez has become increasingly frustrated at the lack of progress by the Gunners, who look certain to crash out of the Champions League next week."

Woods noted how those frustrations will scupper any attempts Arsenal make to persuade the 28-year-old to sign a new deal: "Sanchez is understood to have made no secret of his thinking within the camp, and talks aimed to getting him to sign a new deal have stalled."

Indeed, Woods says the South American attacker was hopeful over agreeing fresh terms worth more than £200,000 per week. However, the collapse of Arsenal's Premier League title challenge means he's now ready to move on.

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Sanchez's current deal with the Gunners is set to run out in 2018, and his future has been a source of constant speculation throughout most of this campaign.

The speculation hasn't undermined his performances on the pitch, however. In fact, Sanchez has arguably never performed better, scoring 17 goals, to go with eight assists, in England's top flight, according to WhoScored.com.

Sanchez has also found the net three times and provided an assist in the UEFA Champions League, per the same source. The former Udinese star has flourished largely thanks to Wenger's decision to play him through the middle this season.

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Yet despite the manager's role in his improvement, Sanchez will move on regardless of whether the Frenchman stays at Arsenal, according to Woods: "It is understood Sanchez does not want another season with the Gunners even if boss Arsene Wenger commits to a new contract."

Instead, Sanchez favours a return to La Liga, where a Sevilla side coached by his former national-team boss, Jorge Sampaoli, are keen, along with Diego Simeone's Atletico. Sanchez returning to Spain would likely be more palatable to Gunners fans than seeing him joining a domestic rival.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is reportedly keeping tabs on the forward's contract situation, per Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror.

Ironically, Sanchez could see his old manager sooner than he thinks if he returns to Spain. Wenger is under intense pressure from disgruntled Arsenal supporters, despite being offered a new two-year deal by the Gunners board.

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However, the Frenchman may move on and would seek a move to Real Madrid if he did, according to the Daily Telegraph's Matt Law.

Sanchez has been a stellar signing for Wenger, but his frustration has been obvious and telling in recent months. The player still not agreeing to a new deal with the Gunners seems to speak volumes about his future plans.