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Arsenal: Atletico Madrid want Alexis Sanchez to replace outgoing Griezmann

By Craig Pearson

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring a goal for Arsenal during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Arsenal at Stadium of Light on October 29, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring a goal for Arsenal during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Arsenal at Stadium of Light on October 29, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) /
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Alexis Sanchez is yet to extend his expiring contract with Arsenal and Atletico Madrid are hoping to sign the Chilean in the summer.

Arsenal have a lot on their plate right now. The team are faltering once again, so the last thing they probably want to talk about is losing one of their best players. But that is what could happen with Alexis Sanchez after this season.

Sanchez has 18 months remaining on his Arsenal contract, and is showing no intention to re-sign at this point. That has alerted Atletico Madrid, who are keen to sign the Chilean, according to The Mirror.

Atletico have their own situation going on with rival clubs eyeing up their star man, Antoine Griezmann. The French striker has been linked with Manchester United most notably, and Griezmann is expected to leave the club come the summer. Atletico boss Diego Simeone sees Arsenal’s Sanchez as the perfect replacement for the striker.

The news changes little, really, if you’re Arsenal. The club want him to stay. If he doesn’t, then it would be crazy to keep a player of such value for his final year and risk losing him for free. Should Sanchez want to stay, then he’ll sign. If he’s happy to enter his final year, then he can’t be that eager to stay.

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Whether it’s Atletico Madrid or whoever that comes in for Sanchez, Arsenal just need to be content to get as much money as possible. And if Sanchez goes abroad and not to a direct Premier League rival, then that is all the better.

Sanchez is Arsenal’s best player. His exit would be such a huge loss. But you never, ever want players who don’t want to be at the club. No matter how good they are. Arsenal need some big changes in the summer anyway, so having an influx of money can help with that.

Sanchez certainly isn’t a player that needs replacing, but Mesut Ozil might be. And if both happened to leave, then the Gunners would have a war chest to go out and start to put some things right. The days of Arsenal being just one piece or two pieces away from a title win are gone.

No matter how many times the club finish in the top four. At this point, the squad needs a mentality change and a character reform. That means big changes, and if Sanchez does leave, at least those funds will help with that.

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Unfortunately, that’s about the extent of the good news when it comes to Alexis Sanchez right now. The ball in the player’s court, and if he doesn’t re-sign soon, then Arsenal just need to get as much money as they possibly can come the summer.

Whether that’s Atletico Madrid or another major European club.

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