BBC reporter: Alexis Sanchez thought he was leaving Arsenal on Thursday
Alexis Sanchez thought he was leaving Arsenal last week, according to reporter David Ornstein
Alexis Sanchez thought that he was going to be leaving Arsenal on transfer deadline day, according to BBC reporter David Ornstein.
The Chile international’s future was a relentless source of speculation throughout the summer transfer window after he entered into the final 11 months of his contract at The Emirates.
Manchester City were rumoured to be keen on securing a late deadline-day move to bring Sanchez to The Etihad on Thursday but a move failed to materialise.
There were reports on Thursday that Arsenal made a big-money bid to try to lure Monaco winger Thomas Lemar to The Emirates as a potential replacement for the Chile international.
However, a move for either player failed to materialise as the transfer window closed on Thursday night.
BBC Sport reporter Ornstein has now claimed that Sanchez thought he was going to leave Arsenal and even told friends that a move was on, before he ended up staying at The Emirates.
Ornstein told BBC Sport: “Alexis Sanchez had informed the people closest to himself that the move to Manchester was done and he was off.
“It’s spectacular that this deal has fallen apart on the say-so of Thomas Lemar.”
Sanchez is likely to be back in action for Arsenal when the Gunners return from the international break with a home clash against Bournemouth next Saturday.
Arsenal are looking to bounce back from their disastrous 4-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield last time out.
