Arsenal playmaker Alexis Sanchez is yet to sign a new deal with the club.
This was expected to be wrapped up as soon as the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia was over. However, up until now the Chilean is yet to agree to new terms with the north London side.
If the club fails to get him to commit now they could lose him for free months down the line. The FA Cup champions have added two playersin a bid to boost the ranks. A decent left back and a top striker have joined with the intent that Sanchez would remain and help the club win the Premier League or return back to playing Champions League football.
The former Barcelona striker could walk for free if he signs pre-contract in January or stalls until June next year, racking up serious sign-on bonus, leaving the Gunners high and dry despite their player loyalty. The 28-year old is a very good player and a game influencer. He is highly sought after across the continent and it is affecting many things at the club.
Sanchez had revealed his intention of exiting the team but Arsenal had hoped to convince him to remain. This process has been going on for a year without success. And as it continues to drag on, Arsenal might be the biggest losers.
Back in 2008, Sir Alex Ferguson had this same issue with his star player Cristiano Ronaldo. After the club convinced him, the Portuguese remained at the club for another year before his record breaking move to Real Madrid.
The same thing happened in 2013 when Luis Suarez wanted to exit Liverpool. Suarez wanted to put his woes behind him after he was handed a 10-game for biting then Chelsea defender BranislavIvanovic.Arsenal were involved in the deal, opting to pay just £1 in addition to the £40 million release clause. Suarez decided to remain at the club, helping the club reach a recent high. He eventually joined Barcelona.
In Sanchez’s case, Arsenal would not get anything if he refuses to sign the deal this year. Chelsea, Man City and Bayern Munich have shown their interest in him. As much as Arsenal would want to keep him to get the best from him this forthcoming season, it leaves the club at a disadvantage but the club should hold the player to his contract, and resist the mistakes of the past where the club aided the competition by selling their top players to them. It would show ambition and strong will.
