Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone is reportedly keeping an eye on developments at Arsenal, specifically in terms of Alexis Sanchez’s future.
The Chilean international will see his contract with the Gunners expire next summer, and with no suggestion that a new agreement is imminent, it has unsurprisingly led to questions about his long-term future at the Emirates.
According to AS, Atleti are hopeful that FIFA will overturn their transfer ban this summer, and if that happens, they could be preparing to make a bid for Sanchez as he sits top of their transfer shortlist.
As noted in the report, the 28-year-old insisted this week whilst on international duty in Chile that he wants to stay in London and will see out his contract with Arsenal.
However, he also added that he wants to play for a winning team which given the lack of major trophies at Arsenal in recent years, was seen as a subtle hint that perhaps he doesn’t see a long-term future with the Gunners.
That’s problematic for Atleti if he wants to stay in the Premier League, and it’s added that a possible €58m price-tag will also be an issue for them along with the fact that Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Bayern Munich and Chelsea will all provide competition and have the financial means to put them at a disadvantage.
Nevertheless, with his contract expiring, Sanchez’s value will continue to decrease the longer the wait goes on for an extension. In addition, with Simeone and Atleti keen to win now with AS reporting that the Argentine tactician is likely to move on in a year’s time, Sanchez would give them that instant impact to go out and launch an assault in Spain and Europe to win major trophies in what could possibly be his last season in charge.