Atletico Madrid are reportedly set to raid Arsenal for their superstar Alexis Sanchez if and when Antoine Griezmann departs for Manchester United.
Spanish publication Don Balon have sensationally claimed that Atletico Madrid have reignited their interest in Arsenal superstar Alexis Sanchez. The former Barcelona man is being marked as the man to replace Antoine Griezmann, who is a priority target for Manchester United.
Alexis Sanchez has repaid every bit of his near £30 million transfer fee which Arsenal paid to Barcelona to snap him up in July 2014. The player has been on fire for the Gunners and has become a key part of the setup at Emirates in a very short while.
While the earlier couple of seasons have been breathtakingly good for Alexis Sanchez, the Chilean has taken it up a notch this season as he has been entrusted with leading the frontline by Arsene Wenger.
13 goals and 8 assists in 20 Premier League games only goes to show how brilliantly he has taken to his new role. But, while the Chilean’s form has brought Arsenal joy on the field, it has been troubling the Gunners off it this season. The Chilean is in a contract standoff with the club as at the present moment.
With his current deal set to expire in 2018, the player’s demands have put off Arsenal, who are still trying their best to negotiate a deal that is plausible to all the parties involved. The contract dispute has brought along interest from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and even Paris Saint-Germain.
And now, Atletico Madrid seem to have joined the long queue of suitors for Alexis Sanchez. Los Rojiblancos have been on the receiving end of interest from Manchester United and others in Antoine Griezmann, who seems to be inching closer and closer to a departure from Wanda Metropolitano, formerly known as Estadio La Peineta.
Atletico Madrid is looking for potential prospects to take over the baton from the French superstar, and Alexis Sanchez seems a very perfect and a like-for-like replacement.
Alexis, like Griezmann, has successfully transitioned from a winger to an out-and-out forward. Also, his numbers show that he is truly capable of bossing the role of a striker. Add to that the Chilean’s experience in La Liga with Barcelona, and the pursuit makes sense.
Sanchez has been linked with Atletico Madrid in the past and the move seems to be even more imperative for both the parties now. Alexis wants a club that is as ambitious as himself, as evidenced by his show of frustration after the 3-3 draw with Bournemouth during the midweek. Atletico Madrid fits the bill.
One thing is certain, though. Atletico Madrid represents a chance for Alexis to return to La Liga and prove to Barcelona that he is more than deserving of becoming a focal point and a key man in European football.
