Arsenal on alert as Barcelona forward Sanchez edges closer to summer exit

Posted Wednesday, March 20, 2013 by Dailymail

Arsenal are among clubs to have expressed interest in Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez.

The 24-year-old Chile international has endured an indifferent season at the Camp Nou and Barcelona are understood to be willing to listen to offers in the summer.

Inter Milan have already made contact with the player's representatives and Barcelona anticipate Arsenal will follow up their longheld interest.

Arsenal on alert as Barcelona forward Sanchez edges closer to summer exit
Hot property: Alexis Sanchez could be heading for the exit at the Nou Camp this summer

Sanchez snubbed offers from Manchester United and City to join Barcelona from Udinese for £22million in 2011.

United were particularly frustrated as they believed the player was joining them until Barcelona's late intervention and manager Sir Alex Ferguson will watch developments closely over the next few months.

Arsenal are weighing up several attacking targets for the summer with an overhaul of their under-performing squad expected.

They have also scouted St Etienne's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and will face strong competition as their rivals look to capitalise on the Londoners' stuttering season and notorious indecision in the transfer market.

Arsenal on alert as Barcelona forward Sanchez edges closer to summer exit
No way out? Sanchez has had an indifferent season at Barcelona this term

Arsenal on alert as Barcelona forward Sanchez edges closer to summer exit
Pecking order: David Villa (right) has returned to fitness and form for Barca

Sanchez, though, would suit their style and a move to the Emirates has been backed by the player's former sporting director at Udinese Fabrizio Larini.

Larini said: 'Sanchez needs to play the ball on the ground, just like Arsenal. That would be his ideal game.

'I do not know his current situation at the Spanish club. But his fitness problems have definitely limited his performances.

'The only thing that these teams will have to consider is that he is a player who needs freedom to play his way. In teams that have particularly rigid patterns of play he might have a few problems.'

Liverpool and Juventus have also shown interest. Some clubs have sounded out Barca about an initial loan with view to a permanent deal but those requests are likely to be rebuffed.