Arsene Wenger makes bold claim about Alexis Sanchez’s Arsenal future
Arsene Wenger claims that Alexis Sanchez could still sign a new contract with Arsenal
Arsene Wenger has claimed that he still harbours hope of Alexis Sanchez signing a new contract with Arsenal.
The Chile international’s future has been a relentless source of speculation throughout the summer transfer window as he was heavily linked with a move away from The Emirates.
There were widespread reports that Sanchez was close to a transfer to Manchester City on deadline day but a move failed to materialise and the 28-year-old ended up staying at the club.
Sanchez has less than 12 months left of his current deal and Arsenal risk losing him on a free transfer next summer if they do not sell him in January or tie him down to a new contract.
However, Wenger remains convinced that Sanchez has still not ruled out the possibility of committing his future to Arsenal beyond next summer.
Wenger told a news conference at Arsenal’s training ground on Thursday morning: “I didn’t want him to leave, it’s true. I didn’t want him to leave and in the end he didn’t leave.
“There is a chance of keeping him, yes. He is committed and focused on Arsenal. That’s what makes me believe it.
“I believe that the transfer market is over and for us it’s important – there was a lot going on, on at that front – so overall it’s very difficult for me to speak about that.
“The most important for us now is to focus on the next game. Sanchez is here and focuses here.”
Sanchez will be expecting to feature for Arsenal when the Gunners take on Bournemouth in the Premier League at The Emirates on Saturday.
