Alexis Sanchez has explored the possibility of rejoining Arsenal this summer and his representatives have contacted the Gunners about a return, according to reports in Chile.
The 34-year-old forward is out of contract with Marseille at the end of the month but the French team are keen to extend his deal for another campaign.
Sanchez was one of Marseille’s outstanding performers last season, scoring 17 goals in all competitions as the Ligue 1 side finished third in Ligue 1.
- Ten Hag ‘furious’ with Man Utd as they give transfer advantage to Arsenal
- Man Utd react to Theo Hernandez claims as Ten Hag tipped for £60m transfer
- Arsenal on verge of Havertz signing as Bayern approach considered ‘too late’
According to Chilean newspaper La Tercera, Sanchez is interested in playing Champions League football and has rejected an offer to play in the Saudi Pro League.
The report claims that Sanchez’s agent has directly called Arteta to discuss a potential move back to the Emirates this summer.
It’s believed that Arteta was made aware of Sanchez’s desire to do everything possible to secure a return to his former team and the Chile international remained hopeful that an agreement could be reached.
But, the report claims that Arteta was ‘direct’ in his response to Sanchez’s representatives and said his former Arsenal teammate does not fit into his plans for the side going forward.
Sanchez spent just under four years at Arsenal and helped them win two FA Cup trophies during his time at the club before he made a shocking move to Manchester United in January 2018.
But the Chilean star struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford and he even conceded that he asked his agent if he could return to Arsenal after his first training session with Man United.
Sanchez ended up signing for Inter Milan 19 months later and won both Serie A and the Coppa Italia during his time in Italy.
Meanwhile, Marseille’s president, Pablo Longoria, revealed this month that the French team are pushing hard to keep Sanchez.
‘We want to keep him because he has brought us a lot,’ Longoria said.
‘He was a leader in every way. We are speaking with his agent, we are offering him a better contract than the one he had this season.’
