Alexis Sanchez was on the verge of leaving Arsenal in the summer, but the Gunners refused to sell, despite the Chilean’s contract running out in 2018.
However, it appears he will be heading out of the Emirates Stadium before next season, but not to Bayern Munich, according the German club’s president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, as per Kicker.
Sanchez, 28, attracted many suitors during the close-season, after scoring 24 goals in the Premier League last year, while also setting up a further 10.
The likes of Manchester City and the aforementioned Bayern were among the interested parties in the summer and both are hoping to secure his services, either in January or on a free transfer next July.
Out of contract
After a series of injuries and illnesses at the start of the season, Sanchez has returned to the Arsenal starting eleven, and it is business as usual, as the trio of himself, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil was used to great effect in the 5-2 victory against Everton.
Yet, this will seemingly be short-lived with former German international Rummenigge claiming that the Chilean already as a destination in mind: “I think that Sanchez has already decided on club [he’s going to play for].
“You can assume that this door will be closed in January.”
With Sanchez’s contract up next summer and a new deal unlikely, Arsenal would need to sell him in the winter transfer window, if they hope to get any money for their star player, albeit significantly less than his asking price in August.
The reason that any move away from Arsenal failed to materialise for the Chilean was because the Gunners could not get in a replacement, as they struggled to sign their number one target, Thomas Lemar from Monaco. However, they could be left with no choice but to sell, preferably not to a Premier League rival.
If not Bayern, where?
With the German side all but ruling themselves out of the running for Sanchez, it opens up an intriguing list of potential destinations that the former Barcelona attacker could end up.
High on the list and seemingly most ardent to sign him is Manchester City. The Citizens are still interested in purchasing the Chilean, despite their impressive start to the season, and a side where every position is already filled.
Paris Saint-Germain were enquiring about Sanchez, but they have signed Neymar for a world-record fee, while Kylian Mbappe, on loan at the French capital club, will join permanently next year. This could leave the Arsenal star struggling to get into the team from January, while PSG are already under scrutiny over the amount of money they are already spending on their two summer acquisitions.
Juventus, Chelsea and Manchester United are also interested in signing Sanchez, and while the Gunners prefer not to sell to a fellow Premier League side, they may not have a choice and will be at a great disadvantage during negotiations ahead of a possible January exit for the Chilean.