Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Alexis Sanchez and Kylian Mbappe
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed "there is not a lot to resolve" with star forward Alexis Sanchez after exchanging "positive" text messages with the Chilean in a bid to keep him at the club this summer.
Meanwhile, Wenger and the Gunners may have received a boost regarding their interest in AS Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe, after the much-coveted attacker admitted he could switch clubs during this transfer window.
Even after Mbappe's announcement, Wenger's biggest priority is likely to remain resolving Sanchez's future, an issue he addressed during the club's pre-season tour of Australia.
Wenger offered an optimistic update the player whose contract expires in 2018 will stay at Arsenal, per Mike Keegan of theย Daily Mail: "There is not a lot to resolve with the player. I have spoken through text and it was very positive. My thoughts are always positive."
When pressed further about whether Sanchez will stay in north London, Wenger said: "Did I not just answer that question?"
The future of Sanchez threatens to dominate the rest of Arsenal's transfer agenda this summer. Wenger has already spent big on striker Alexandre Lacazette, but he knows the true key to the success of his forward line will be Sanchez sticking around.
Sanchez has become the match-winner opponents fear, a player capable of turning games in an instant. He is a prolific source of goals, as well as a keen supplier of them, evidenced by netting 24 times and supplying 10 assists in the Premier League last season, per WhoScored.com.
Yet for all his obvious worth, the Gunners are struggling to agree a new contract with Sanchez. The South American has left an offer of ยฃ270,000 per week on the table as he seeks to become the highest-paid player in England's top flight, according to Neil Fissler of the Daily Express.
Sanchez has been linked with a move to Manchester City and the chance to work again with Pep Guardiola, whom he once played for at Barcelona, but Wenger won't sell to a domestic rival, per Ciaran Kelly of theย Manchester Evening News.
Keeping Sanchez would be a major boost for the Gunners ahead of the new season. His presence, along with the arrival of Lacazette, would ensure Arsenal boast one of the most dynamic forward lines in the league.
Still, the issue will remain whether Wenger is prepared to risk losing Sanchez for free next summer, assuming he doesn't sign a new contract, over taking a fee this year.
The idea of accepting a fee for Sanchez now could be more palatable if Arsenal were to beat Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain to Mbappe. Monaco's star striker told Spanish publication Marca (h/t Sam Inkersole of Football.London) he still hasn't decided where he will play this season:ย "I don't know if I will stay."
Those words should offer encouragement to Arsenal, since the Gunners have been one of Mbappe's keenest suitors this summer. In fact, the north London club was said to have bid ยฃ123.3 million for Mbappe by Marca (h/t Jack Wilson of the Daily Express).
Wenger also met with Mbappe in June to explain in detail how the player would be used should he move to Arsenal, per France Footballย (h/t Jack Rathborn of the Daily Mirror).
The report from Marcaย (h/t Wilson) said 18-year-old Mbappe won't be sold to Monaco's Ligue 1 rivals PSG: "It's claimed Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev is determined to ensure PSG will not be the youngster's next destination."
Real may not have room for Mbappe with Alvaro Morata still on the books, per Wilson
If Arsenal were to sign Mbappe, he would no doubt form a terrific strike partnership with fellow France internationalย Lacazette. However, there would then be little room for both Sanchez and fellow contract rebel Mesut Ozil in the 3-4-2-1 formation Wenger favoured during the latter stages of last season.
A move for Mbappe, or any other high-profile attacker, seems to depend on the future of Sanchez. Wenger's confidence regarding the latter could set the pattern for the rest of Arsenal's transfer activity this summer.
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