RED HOT CHILE
Sizzler Sanchez is all ready to spice up Gunners’ campaign
ARSENE WENGER says Alexis Sanchez will be “100 per cent” committed – despite the breakdown of his £60million move to Manchester City.
Sanchez and his representatives have been in regular contact throughout the saga and Arsenal are confident he will return to the club fully focused.
When asked if the Chile striker would be committed, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger told beIN Sports: “100 per cent.
“Your interest is always to perform. It was not very close. It’s very difficult for me to speak about that because what I want the player to do is now focus on his career, on his season and on Arsenal football club.”
Gunners striker Sanchez told Chile team-mates while on international duty that he wanted to join City after they made a late bid to sign him.
But Arsenal, Sanchez and his agent Fernando Felicevich made a pact that if a deal did not happen, he would stay for the final year and give his all even if he is set to leave the club on a free transfer next summer.
Arsenal are under no illusions Sanchez will leave – he has been demanding £400,000-a-week – but have been reassured by his attitude since returning to them this summer.
They have also had fresh assurances he will carry on as before and Arsenal are confident reports suggesting he will refuse to play are wide of the mark.
Sanchez is expected to face Bournemouth next Saturday, when there is likely to be a feisty atmosphere after fans were left disappointed by the club’s dealings in the transfer window.
However, Arsenal are adamant it was not their mistake on Sanchez and leaving it too late to try and sign Monaco’s Thomas Lemar.
Wenger has admitted Lemar chose to stay at Monaco and it is understood he felt there was not enough time to make a decision, especially as he was playing that evening.
Arsenal made Lemar their No.1 target in May, were told he was definitely not for sale but still made two bids which were turned down. City came in late for Sanchez, only signalling real intent in the closing days of the window. Monaco then contacted Arsenal suggesting Lemar might be available for £90m.
Arsenal made an offer, Monaco then stalled before coming back again on deadline day to try and get the deal done.
Arsenal then told City they would consider selling Sanchez – but only if they could get Lemar and that fell down.
There has been some dismay at City claiming Arsenal should have been better prepared as their position is that they did not want to sell and why would they compromise and sign a second-rate replacement as they wanted Lemar and were not about to be bullied.
City will return for Sanchez – possibly in January when the transfer window next opens and he has only six months left on his contract.
But it is more likely that they will wait until next summer.