Arsenal Transfer News: Bayern Munich Prepare Alexis Sanchez Bid, Latest Rumours

Bayern Munich are reportedly set to launch a bid worth €40 million (£35 million) for Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez.

According to German outlet Bild (via Metro), Bayern are still eager to snap up the Chilean despite recently signing Serge Gnabry, and they are prepared to offer Sanchez terms worth €60 million (£53 million) across a four-year deal.

The report added Bayern believe that, despite Manchester City being prepared to offer twice as much money to Arsenal to sign Sanchez, the Gunners could be open to accepting their lower offer so as not to sell their star man to a direct Premier League rival.

The German champions' position over negotiations has also potentially been strengthened by Paris Saint-Germain reportedly giving up on signing the Chile international, per L'Equipe (via French football writer Matt Spiro):

Bayern have long been seen as one of the favourites to sign Sanchez this summer since it became clear he would not pen a new deal at the Emirates Stadium, per Jason Burt and Sam Wallace in the Telegraph.

With the former Barcelona man having only a year left to run on his current deal, Arsenal have little option but to sell him now or lose him for free at the end of next season.

Given his immense quality, the Gunners are still in a position to effectively make their money back on the 28-year-old despite the status of his contract—he cost around £35 million to sign from the Blaugrana in 2014.

While Arsenal endured a tough Premier League campaign in 2016-17 and eventually finished outside the top four, Sanchez was one of the top individual performers in the division, netting 24 goals and providing 10 assists, per WhoScored.com.

It is no surprise then that Arsenal and manager Arsene Wenger would clearly be loath to see him join a domestic rival and are potentially considering accepting less money to avoid such a scenario.

The north London outfit are strong enough financially to afford to bring in a top-level replacement for Sanchez no matter how much money they receive for him.

And, in the long run, it could end up benefiting Arsenal in Premier League terms if Sanchez were to move to Bayern to play in the Bundesliga than join City and compete against them.