Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez has reportedly decided to leave the club this summer as he is keen on a return to Spain instead of committing his future to the Gunners.
The Chilean international’s contract at the Emirates expires next summer, and so the club face a tough situation in which they may be forced to sell at the end of the season in order to avoid losing Sanchez for nothing next year, provided he doesn’t wish to sign an extension.
According to The Daily Star, it’s claimed that he doesn’t want to extend his stay in north London as he is keen on a return to Spain, with Sevilla and Atletico Madrid emerging as two possible destinations.
It’s noted in the report that Sanchez has become increasingly frustrated with Arsenal’s continued inability to win major trophies, as they have stumbled in both the Premier League title race and in the Champions League yet again this season.
Nevertheless, the 28-year-old will shock Arsenal fans if this latest development is true, as he has established himself as a key figure in the team with 20 goals and 16 assists in 34 appearances in all competitions so far this season.
It’s added by the Star that Sanchez had been seeking a deal worth £200,000-a-week to stay at Arsenal, and ultimately that was the biggest stumbling block between the two parties reaching an agreement.
However, it’s now claimed that is the least of Arsenal’s worries as he now looks set to move on this summer regardless of whether or not Arsene Wenger stays at the club while a deal meeting his reported demands won’t be enough to convince him to stay.
While there are similar fears over Mesut Ozil, keeping Sanchez will be key for Arsenal as ultimately the former Barcelona and Udinese forward has proven this season that he’s capable of dragging the Gunners to major honours if he has the right personnel around him and the club can ill-afford to lose world-class players.