Sanchez tapping-up begins; Ozil talks break down

Matt Stead

Alexis Sanchez has been urged to move to Bayern Munich this summer, with reports claiming contract renewal talks with Arsenal have broken down.

Sanchez has scored 39 goals in 88 appearances since joining the Gunners from Barcelona in 2014 but it’s understood many top European sides are interested in snapping up the 27-year-old, with Bayern Munich amongst the clubs reportedly pondering a move for the forward.

Vidal, who arrived at Bayern last summer, is keen for Sanchez to join him at the Allianz Arena following speculation his compatriot is a target for the Bundesliga outfit.

“Hopefully,” Vidal said teasingly when asked whether he thought the rumours were true.

“We have played together since playing for the Under-20s, so it would be nice to play with him again.”

Matt Hughes of The Times reports an exclusive on the contract situation concerning both Sanchez and Arsenal teammate Mesut Ozil, who have two years each remaining on their current deals.

Manager Arsene Wenger has previously appeared confident of extending the contracts of both of his star players in the coming weeks, but it now appears that such talks have been postponed until the summer.

‘Arsenal are facing a battle to persuade Alexis Sánchez and Mesut Özil to sign contract extensions,’ writes Hughes, who says talks have ‘failed to progress. The Gunners were thought to be willing to offer new five-year deals to both players, with their weekly wages increased to £160,000.

Both Sanchez and Ozil are seeking reassurances that ‘other areas of the squad will be strengthened’ in the summer, and that ‘they will be able to compete for the biggest trophies’ next season. Arsenal sit just four points above fifth-placed Manchester United in the race to qualify for the Champions League, with their Premier League title hopes in ruins. Regardless of whether the club secure their place in Europe’s elite competition for next season, both Sanchez and Ozil will ‘reassess their futures,’ says Hughes.