Karl-Heinz Rummenigge provides update on Alexis Sánchez transfer situation.
Bayern’s chief executive has ruled out a move for Sánchez according to reports. He believes that the Chilean has already picked his next club, and that Bayern can do little to change this. He would have been ideal for the Bavarian outfit because he could have replaced one of the ageing Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben.
With Bayern ruling themselves out, that leaves two main contenders for his signature. This is based on interest in the summer. If Sánchez has already decided as Rummenigge stated then it’s most likely one of the clubs that were heavily chasing him in the summer. The two main clubs were Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, but would he suit either of them? Also, are either of the clubs tempted to try to lure him in January? They are both pushing for the Champions League and their respective league titles.
Would he suit either of them?
Manchester City look like the favourites to sign him because he was close to joining them for £60 million on deadline day. However, Arsenal’s inability to sign a replacement scuppered that move. He has worked with Pep Guardiola before, which was the 2011/12 season at Barcelona. The Chilean played well at the club, but multiple injuries for him and Pep’s tactical tweak obsessiveness meant that him and the team didn’t have the best season.
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Sánchez clearly has the talent to be a success at City. The issue is whether he would be willing to take a reduced role in the team in order to benefit the collective system. They have a clear shape which requires players to be disciplined, so they can’t afford Sánchez to do his manic individual pressing when the opposition is in control of possession. The potential success as well as the quality of their play means that he would be likely to accept Guardiola’s demands in exchange for being a part of this.
The other major suitor is PSG who differ completely from City but they are another attractive project to join. Control of possession is less important to them because of their ability to quickly break on opponents. Although, they can control the tempo of a game and break down a determined opponent through patient play if needed. At the Parisian club, he would be guaranteed silverware because of their stranglehold on domestic competitions.
They have a plethora of attacking options, but they could always offload Julian Draxler and Ángel Di María if needed. Although, Unai Emery would have to rotate because they’d have four talented forwards. Financial Fair Play isn’t an issue either because Sánchez is available on a free transfer in the summer.
Next: Manchester City and Juventus leading race for Atletico star
Brief Conclusions
City would suit him better because he wouldn’t have to move countries and he has experience with Guardiola’s methods. PSG would be able to offer him more money, but that doesn’t seem to be his prime motivation. City were close to signing him in the summer and are the team that he has most likely chosen to join. They are unlikely to try to sign him in January even though he would bring an added attacking dimension to their play because they can get him on a free in the summer.