Chelsea manager Antonio Conte refused to be drawn on The Mirror’s report that the club are considering a sensational swoop for Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez.
What was his response?
Well, the Italian coach did not give much away when he was probed about the speculation during his pre-match press conference.
On Wednesday, The Mirror claimed that Chelsea will swoop for the Chile international if the attacker opts against signing a new contract with the Gunners.
Every week the media and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger reiterates that negotiations are ongoing with Sanchez’s camp – and Mesut Ozil’s – regarding contract extensions.
Both players have 18 months left to run on their existing deals, and widespread reports have claimed that wages seems to be causing the biggest delay.
Chelsea’s reported interest seemed to come out of nowhere, but interestingly, Conte has not ruled out the possibility of signing Sanchez, nor has he indicated that they are planning to pursue him.
In fact, he described it as “disrespectful” to talk about a non-Chelsea player with regards to transfers. He told reporters:
“I don’t think it is right to talk about the other players, the other teams. It’s not right. Now we are totally focused on our next game against West Brom.
“January or next season are so far. I repeat it’s not right to talk about other players. It’s a lack of respect for the other team and for my players.”
How realistic is the move?
Arguably, not very. Although, Arsenal do have a history of selling their big players to rivals – let us not forget Robin van Persie’s shock switch to Manchester United in 2012, and Samir Nasri’s move to Manchester City in the previous year.
In this instance, with the form that Sanchez is in, it would be highly unlikely that Arsenal would sanction a transfer to Chelsea, particularly as Wenger recently told the media that he and Mesut Ozil will not be sold even if they do not sign new contracts.
It is understandable that Chelsea would want him, because Sanchez lining up alongside Diego Costa would create a deadly partnership as both players are joint-top scorers in the Premier League with 11 goals.
As it stands, though, Sanchez is needed more at Arsenal than table-toppers Chelsea, who already have a strong attacking unit that has helped push them into a three-point lead in the title race.
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