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Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez plays with a ball during warm up before the English FA Cup final soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, May 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez plays with a ball during warm up before the English FA Cup final soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, May 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Bayern Munich Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Alexis Sanchez, Corentin Tolisso

James DudkoJun 11, 2017

Bayern Munich will reportedly end their pursuit of Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez after signing former Gunners winger Serge Gnabry on a three-year deal. Gnabry's arrival from Bundesliga rivals Werder Bremen will convince Bayern to call off their attempts to sign Sanchez, even though the Chilean forward prefers a move to Germany now that Paris Saint-Germain is no longer pursuing him, per reports.

Gnabry has moved to Munich after one season in Bremen, with Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirming the deal on the club's website (h/t the Daily Telegraph): "We are delighted to see another young German national player in FC Bayern in Serge Gnabry. Serge has developed very well in Bremen."

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It means Sanchez may not be on his way to the Allianz Arena after all. This is despite the versatile, South American attacker favouring Bayern as his next destination, per French publication L'Equipe (h/t Kevin Beirne of Football.London): "The 28-year-old is only interested in a move to Bayern Munich after Paris Saint-Germain pulled out of the race for his signature."

Significantly, Christian Falk of German source Bild (h/t Beirne) also tweeted how Bayern's plan to sign Sanchez has now ended after Gnabry's arrival.

Bayern had been strongly linked with a move for Sanchez, whose contract with the Gunners expires in 2018. The Bundesliga champions were said to be ready to pay £40 million and meet the player's wage demands, according to Jeremy Wilson of the Daily Telegraph.

Sanchez is a player in peak form, one who may prove too tempting for Bayern to give up on just yet. He was exceptional for Arsenal this season, scoring 24 goals and providing 10 assists in the Premier League, per WhoScored.com.

His ability to thrive through the middle or from the flanks would be an asset for a Bayern squad valuing fluidity in the final third. Manager Carlo Ancelotti may see Sanchez as a younger upgrade on veteran wide players 33-year-old Arjen Robben and 34-year-old Franck Ribery.

Arsenal's Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez (R) celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the English FA Cup final football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley stadium in London on May 27, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS / NOT FOR MARKETING OR

Bayern are reportedly willing to discuss the possible sale of Brazilian winger Douglas Costa to Juventus, according to Italian publication Tuttosport (h/t MailOnline's Will Griffee). So Ancelotti may be preparing for a heavy refresh of his options on the flanks this summer.

Even after Gnabry's arrival, it's too soon to think Bayern will give up on trying to sign Sanchez, particularly if the player is eager to move to Germany.

Bayern Closing on Lyon Midfielder

Changing things out wide isn't the only move Bayern could make this summer. The Munich club is also reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Lyon midfield gem Corentin Tolisso.

Bayern would have to pay €40 million for the 22-year-old and have even presented him with a contract, per French source L'Equipe (h/t Premium Sport HD, via Calciomercato.com): "The Bundesliga side have agreed to personal terms with the Lyon midfielder, whose current deal expires in 2020."

In fact, Tolisso's arrival in Munich could be imminent, per the reports: "The two sides have been negotiating over the last few days, and it is expected that the 22-year-old's move to the Allianz Arena could be finalised over the next few hours, or the next several days."

Tolisso would bring a lot of forward-thinking qualities to an already marquee midfield at Bayern. He established a niche as a box-to-box goalscorer for Lyon during the 2016/17 campaign, netting 14 times in all competitions, per WhoScored.com.

Yet as good as Tolisso is, Bayern already boast several midfielders who are at their best going forward. In particular, Chile international Arturo Vidal and Spanish playmaker Thiago Alcantara create chances and score goals for fun.

MUNICH, GERMANY - APRIL 26: Thiago of Bayern Munich and Arturo Vidal of Bayern Munich looks on during the German Cup (DFB Cup) semi final soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena on April 26, 2017, in Munich, German

In terms of bringing balance to a midfield three where Vidal and Alcantara play regularly, Tolisso is a curious choice. Still, signing a burgeoning young star with this much talent would make sense for any top club.

Getting younger across the squad is an obvious priority for Ancelotti at Bayern. Signing Gnabry is a start, but acquiring either one of Sanchez or Tolisso would help accelerate the process.

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