Chelsea Plotting Audacious Swoop For Arsenal Superstar

Managers are now making moves to try and strengthen their squads during the January transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest gossip from around the globe. Today, Chelsea are linked with Alexis Sanchez…

Chelsea are plotting a sensational swoop on Arsenal for superstar striker Alexis Sanchez as Antonio Conte lines-up potential replacements for Diego Costa this summer, according to a report in the Daily Star.

Sanchez’s future at the Emirates is in serious doubt as he’s in the final 18 months of his contract and is yet to agree terms over an extension despite several rounds of negotiations between his representatives and the North Londoners.

The Chilean international is reportedly demanding a huge hike in wages to around £300,000-a-week [source: Daily Star] and has cut a frustrated figure at times in recent weeks after venting his anger during games against Bournemouth and Swansea.

The good news for Arsenal is that contract talks haven’t affected Sanchez’s form as he’s scored 16 goals and provided a further 13 assists for his team mates in his 27 appearances so far this season.

Understandably, Arsenal are desperate to keep hold of Sanchez and tie him down to a new long-term deal but it looks as though the Gunners are now going to face some stiff competition from across London.

The Daily Star are citing a report coming from the Mirror that claims Chelsea are keeping a close eye on Sanchez’s situation and will launch a move for the 28-year-old if he refuses to sign a new deal at the Emirates.

Blues boss Antonio Conte may need to dip in to the market for another striker with Diego Costa’s future in serious doubt and the newspaper says the Italian coach feels Sanchez would be the ideal replacement.

Costa was axed from the squad for Chelsea’s game at Leicester City last weekend following a furious bust-up with Conte last week amid reported interest from the Chinese Super League.

The Brazilian-born striker held clear-the-air talks at Cobham and was allowed to rejoin training with the rest of the squad yesterday but the 28-year-old is still being strongly tipped to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.

Costa’s departure would leave a huge void to be filled and Sanchez would be a superb replacement but I have serious doubts as to whether Arsenal would even contemplate doing business with a direct rival.

Arsene Wenger has made it clear in recent years that gone are the days of him needing to sell his best players to his rivals and even if Sanchez doesn’t sign a new deal, there will be plenty of interest from abroad so the Gunners will be under no pressure to sell to Chelsea.

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We’ll have to see how things develop over the coming months but I think that if Arsenal do end up cashing-in on Sanchez this summer then he’ll head abroad rather to another Premier League club.