Alexis Sanchez Rumoured for Arsenal Stay, Potential Free Transfer to Chelsea

Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez will reportedly stay with the Gunners for the 2017-18 season if the Gunners make a commitment in the summer transfer window, but he will move to Chelsea on a free transfer next year.

That's according to John Cross of the Daily Mirror, who reports Sanchez loves living in London and believes the club won't sell him to a direct rival. Instead, he could keep his options open and make the move on a Bosman transfer if things don't improve.

Per the report, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus are also interested in the Chile international, who has yet to sign a new contract. 

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The 28-year-old has been with Arsenal since 2014 and easily ranks among the team's most popular and talented players. A disappointing series of results has left the Chilean sulking for a solid stretch of the season, however, and with his contract situation up in the air, speculation has been constant.

He didn't help matters when he made these comments to Publimetro (h/t Bleacher Report UK):

Arsenal have built a reputation for inefficiency and extreme prudence in the transfer market the last few years, while the other top Premier League clubs have spent freely. There's little doubt Sanchez would request more signings if he did commit his future to the club.

The Gunners are unlikely to take the chance of losing Sanchez on a free transfer, however, and would rather engage in transfer talks if it does become clear he intends to run his current deal out and move on.

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