Liverpool chairman: Alexis Sanchez picked Arsenal for his wife
Liverpool chairman Tom Werner hints Alexis Sanchez opted to join Arsenal due to his partner's preference to live in London
Tom Werner has hinted that Alexis Sanchez picked Arsenal over Liverpool due to his partner’s desire to live in the English capital.
The Reds were heavily linked with a move for the Chile international last summer after the World Cup, and the Merseyside outfit were keen to strike a deal with Barcelona desperate to sign Luis Suarez.
However, while the Uruguayan striker completed a £75m move to Camp Nou, Sanchez made the £35m transfer to FA Cup holders Arsenal ahead of a move to the five-time European champions.
And speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Reds chairman Werner appeared to reveal the reason behind Sanchez’s snub of the Merseyside outfit.
“Every transaction is somewhat different from the next,” Werner told the Liverpool Echo.
“Without mentioning any names, we were very focused on a player last year. We felt that we had an understanding but his wife wanted to live in London. None of these transfers are simple.”
Sanchez scored 16 goals in the Premier League last season, whilst the Chilean netted a further nine strikes in European and domestic cup competitions.
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The South American, who helped Chile win the Copa America this summer, also played a part in Arsenal’s 4-0 victory over Aston Villa in the FA Cup final at Wembley in May.
