Is it time to hit the panic button over Alexis Sanchez’s future? Maybe so, as the Mirror claim that the Gunners’ Chilean superstar is demanding a fixed buyout clause be inserted in a new deal.
The 27-year-old only arrived at the Emirates Stadium two seasons back from Barcelona for £35m. Although the South American endured an average 2015/16 campaign mainly due to injury, his debut season in England won’t be forgotten by fans who idolise the winger-cum-striker.
With 42 goals under his name since joining the north London outfit, many felt that Arsenal were a one-man team in Alexis’ first season in the Premier League. That term saw the Chilean get his hands on a FA Cup trophy, but the following campaign unfortunately ended trophy-less.
Only two years remain on Sanchez’s current contract with Arsenal, meaning Le Prof has to tie down his fiery attacker to a new deal or risk entering a battle to keep hold of him next summer should no extension be signed.
Will Wenger yield into Sanchez’s demands? Possibly so, given that the Premier League side do not hold the upper hand in transfer negotiations. Arsenal’s number 7 was subject to interest from Serie A clubs Juventus and Inter Milan over the summer, and thus his request for a buyout clause could be interpreted as a route out should the Gunners fail to compete for silverware.
Fans can only pray that the arrival of Granit Xhaka, Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez levitates Arsenal into the Premier League title race, which could in turn convince Alexis to stay at the Emirates regardless of a buyout clause.
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Unfortunately, there also remains the possibility that the Gunners’ 12-year wait for the league crown turns into 13, which could result in suitors triggering the attacker’s buyout clause and prying him from Le Prof’s hands.
The aforementioned scenario, though, hinges on the club giving the player’s rumored release-clause request the green light.
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