ROO ON HIS BIKE - TO GET FIT FOR SEASON
BROTHERS SET TO CLASH IN T20 OPENER /PAGE 41
ALEXIS Sanchez has been urged to leave Arsenal and join a team capable of winning the Champions League.
And with Bayern Munich making it clear that they will not break their salary structure to compete with City, the Chile ace remains firmly in the Blues’ sights.
Sanchez’ future at the Emirates was thrown into doubt last night as Arsenal closed in on the signing of £44m France striker Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon.
And Chilean legend, former Real Madrid striker Ivan Zamorano, has now advised Sanchez to quit the Gunners, where he still has one year left on his contract, and join a side in the Champions League – like City.
“He’s a guy who has goals and ambitions, they’re fundamental to making a choice. I think he likes to win,” said Zamorano.
“What he wants, above all, is to win the Champions League, and I don’t think he’ll have that possibility at Arsenal.
“He must know that he will be more useful in a bigger team. But it’s his decision, his personal choice.”
Bayern were initially favourites to sign Sanchez, but his wage demands would disrupt their current structure.
Last week club president Uli Hoeness stepped away from any move for the 28-year-old, saying he wanted to invest in young players.
And he affirmed that stance yesterday, saying: “We will not pay 25 million a year for Alexis Sanchez,” he said. “If we want to win the Champions League we must strengthen and spend a lot, but not make it nonsense.”
That leaves City and Chelsea as the main suitors for Sanchez. Arsenal don’t want to sell the player to a domestic rival, but know he could leave for free when his contract ends next season. WAYNE Rooney has been getting into shape for the new season using pedal power.
And the United forward who has been linked with a move back to former club Everton - has been doing it back on his old stomping ground on Merseyside.
Rooney had a spin session at Rise Cycling Studio in Liverpool ahead of returning to pre-season training with United on Saturday.
Reds staff will assess the players’ fitness following the summer break before the squad flies out to the USA for the summer tour the following day.
During the trip Rooney will have talks with manager Jose Mourinho regarding his future at Old Trafford.
The 31-year-old has slipped down the pecking order under the Portuguese after 13 trophy-laden years with the Reds.
He has been heavily linked with a switch back to boyhood club Everton, as well as with lucrative moves to China and the MLS.
Rooney will seek assurances about what his playing time with the Reds will be in the new season while in the US.
He started fitness work early during the summer in a bid to be in top shape for the coming campaign.