Alexis Sanchez Puts Chelsea 'Top of His List' for Transfer Amid Arsenal Rumours

Chelsea are reportedly Alexis Sanchez's preferred destination should be move from Arsenal in the summer, but the Gunners would rather let him enter the last 12 months of his contract than sell him to a direct Premier League rival. 

According to Matt Law in the Telegraph, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Chinese Super League clubs are all also interested in Sanchez, but the Chilean is settled in London and would be keen on a move to Stamford Bridge.

Law added that Chelsea are preparing bids for both Sanchez, 28, and Everton's Romelu Lukaku, and they would be open to signing them both in the summer.

Sanchez's departure from Arsenal has seemed likely for some time as he has not put pen to paper on an extended deal with his current contract expiring in 2018.

The Chile international recently said he would like to finish his current contract at Arsenal but stressed he wanted to be on a winning team:

Arsenal are looking increasingly likely to finish outside of the Premier League's top four this season and so they may not be playing in the UEFA Champions League in 2017-18.

Conversely, Chelsea look set to return to Europe's elite competition next season.

#	Team	Pl	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Chelsea	29	22	3	4	60	23	37	69
2	Tottenham Hotspur	29	18	8	3	57	21	36	62
3	Liverpool	30	17	8	5	64	37	27	59
4	Manchester City	29	17	7	5	56	32	24	58
5	Manchester United	28	14	11	3	42	23	19	53
6	Arsenal	28	15	6	7	58	36	22	51

Arsenal would be loath to let Sanchez join Chelsea in the summer, and Law suggested the former Barcelona man may have to force his way out of the Emirates Stadium, leading "to a potentially ugly summer saga."

Sanchez is Arsenal's most important player, and he has netted 18 Premier League goals this season, double the next best return from a Gunners player, Theo Walcott's nine goals, per WhoScored.com.

The ideal scenario for Arsenal would be that Sanchez signs a new contract in north London and remains at the club for the long term.

It has become increasingly unlikely that will happen, but now Arsenal face the nightmare prospect of their star man forcing his way out to join a direct London rival.