Alexis Sanchez Reportedly Meets PSG Sporting Director Ahead of Rumoured Move

Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez was reportedly in the French capital on Friday, meeting with Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Antero Henrique to discuss a transfer from the Gunners, per Goal's Loic Tanzi and Chris Wheatley.

The report said PSG are "growing increasingly confident of signing the Arsenal star for a €50 million fee inclusive of add-ons following preliminary talks with the Gunners."

Tanzi and Wheatley detailed those talks: "Goal understands that PSG chief Henrique met Sanchez and his representatives at the Royal Monceau hotel in Paris from 12 p.m. UTC for talks which lasted several hours. Henrique was later filmed leaving the hotel—where PSGusually close transfer deals—in the late afternoon."

Wheatley also noted how PSG won't confirm the sides have reached a deal but the signs indicate they will eventually strike one:

"

PSG say "nothing is done yet" regarding a move for Alexis Sanchez but the early signs suggest it is likely to happen. pic.twitter.com/g4JFqRr0IX

— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) July 21, 2017"

The Ligue 1 club's confidence is building amid attempts to sign both Sanchez and Barcelona ace Neymar, per Julien Laurens, writing for the Guardian. Laurens reported the meeting with Sanchez at the Royal Monceau Hotel in Paris, while revealing PSG are likely to make an "opening offer of €45m (£40.3m)."

Laurens added that PSG are "increasingly confident" they can land Neymar on a world-record deal. Furthermore, Laurens noted Neymar "has a release clause of €222m and Barcelona cannot prevent the player from leaving if a club pays it."

PSG appear determined to sign a top attacker this summer. Manager Unai Emery was asked about interest in both Sanchez and Neymar by French publication L'Equipe (h/t Metro's Ewan Roberts), and he said: "If we want to compete with BayernMunich, Barcelona, Real Madrid and win the Champions League, then PSG must have a player of the world top five. We are trying to get one signed this summer."

However, the latest reports come after Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made it clear Sanchez won't be sold this summer, despite the attacker's contract expiring in 2018, per John Cross of the Daily Mirror: "The decision has been made, and we will stick to that. The decision is not to sell."

Wenger's stance on Sanchez is understandable, even though the Chilean has yet to agree new terms with the north London side. Sanchez is the one true, world-class match-winner in this Arsenal squad.

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

The former Udinese and Barcelona man is the creative and goalscoring talisman of Wenger's side. His perceptive movement, artful passing, pace, trickery and shooting power led to 31 goals and 13 assists in all competitions last season, per WhoScored.com.

Wenger and the Gunners still believe they will eventually convince Sanchez to sign a new contract and are willing to risk losing the 28-year-old for free next summer while they continue to negotiate, per Jeremy Wilson of the Daily Telegraph.

Significantly, Arsenal's decision to take the risk with Sanchez by refusing to sell now is based on the belief he can help the club make a quick return to the UEFA Champions League, according to David Hytner of the Guardian.

Mark Schiefelbein/Associated Press

Hytner noted how the cost for the Gunners—who play in the UEFA Europa League this season—of not returning to Europe's top-tier tournament would outweigh any fee they could collect this summer.

Of course, Sanchez has already indicated playing in the Champions League is a priority for him, per Chilean source Radio Sport (h/t Lyall Thomas of Sky Sports). If he's determined to make that happen, Sanchez could continue to push for a move to Paris, while Wenger and Arsenal finish their pre-season tour in China.