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Arsenal and Manchester City negotiating Gunners star transfer

By Benjamin Barkworth

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 03: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal reacts at the full time whistle after the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on January 3, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 03: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal reacts at the full time whistle after the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on January 3, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Alexis Sánchez is likely to join Manchester City in the current transfer window.

Goal have reported that Arsenal and City are currently negotiating the transfer of Sánchez. The Gunners have put a £35 million price tag on the Chilean. This would be a huge move for both parties because it would strengthen City’s menacing attack while significantly weakening Arsenal. Although Sánchez hasn’t been near his usual standards this season with his unhappiness at not moving last summer potentially causing this.

For Arsene Wenger, this would represent a big shift in decision-making. He wanted to keep both Sánchez and Mesut Özil until the end of the season even though both their contracts run out. They are both key members of the squad so it was hoped that they would help Arsenal qualify for the Champions League. However, neither have been consistently at their top-level, which has made cashing in one of them tempting in order to help bring in replacements.

Wenger has stated in recent interviews that the Chilean isn’t going to be sold, but there are a lot of rumours flying around saying the opposite. This could be part of his attempt to limit speculation, but his actions suggest a sale is likely. The decision to not play the Chilean in the FA Cup means he is eligible in that competition for City, and he started on the bench in the League Cup semi final against Chelsea. He is also able to play in the Champions League knockout stages due to Arsenal not being in that competition.

Impact on squads

City currently have a lack of depth at the striker position due to Gabriel Jesus’ injury. Bringing in Sánchez would allow Pep Guardiola to rotate him and Sergio Agüero until Jesus comes back. The Chilean could then replace Argentinian striker in the team at the end of the season.

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His versatility gives Guardiola more options along his forward line; it also allows gives him the option of playing two strikers during the rest of this season without sacrificing rotation options. Therefore, the added tactical flexibility is more important than the consistent goal scoring threat that the Argentine provides.

One of the few benefits of delaying the transfer is that Arsenal have been able to find a suitable successor. Bringing in a replacement in this window would allow that player enough time to settle in for next season by gradually easing them into the team; it would also give them bigger funds to strengthen the squad by selling the wantaway now rather than letting them go as a free agent in the summer.

Next: Arsenal striker entertaining January exit talks

Cristian Pavón and Malcom are the potential alternatives to replace Sánchez. Both of them are young talents from South America, so they have the potential to be long-term replacements. However, Malcom is less of a risk because he already has experience at playing in Europe. Although Pavón has a €37 million release clause so he would be the cheaper of the two players.

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