ARSENE WENGER IS “sure” that Arsenal will not sell Alexis Sanchez to a Premier League rival, as they did with Robin van Persie’s switch to Manchester United in 2012.
The Chilean forward continues to be heavily linked with a summer transfer away from Emirates Stadium as he prepares to enter the final 12 months of his current contract.
Manchester City are reported to be leading the chase, with Alexis having previously worked with Pep Guardiola at Barcelona.
Wenger, though, is adamant that 28-year-old will be made to stay put even if he does not commit to fresh terms, with there no chance that a deal will be done with another English top-flight team.
He told reporters: “I don’t think that you would sell him to any Premier League club, that is for sure.
“The question is more, why would you sell him to another [Premier League] club? You want to be as strong as you can be, and not strengthen the other teams.
“I let Van Persie go in the last year of his contract because Van Persie was 29, going on 30 and he was signing a long-term contract. That is not the case with Alexis. I personally think he will sign and stay here.
“Even if he doesn’t sign a new deal, I will make him stay? Yes. Would I rather keep him than sell to a Premier League rival? Yes.
“But first of all, he is happy here. His desire is to stay. That is what I deeply believe.
“The disagreements are more contractual, not on the desire. Both parties have the desire to find an agreement, so I think it will happen.”
Alexis has netted 22 goals for Arsenal in all competitions this season, with the most recent of those seeing Arsenal edge out Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley.
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New presenter from the inner circle no doubt.
@Jeff Nolan: Surprised you’re interested at all in things GAA when you’re flying the colours of a foreign football team from a foreign country. “Inner circle”….. Give us a break!!!! Can’t understand people getting off on conspiracy theories!!
@Jerriko17: it is possible to follow a number of different sports!!!!
@Vinnie Cooney: Jeeeez.. That never occurred to me!!! Maybe RTE should appoint someone from MOTD to keep ye happy!!!
@Jerriko17: more than one sport out there. Expand your horizons.
@Jeff Nolan: never heard of him
@Jeff Nolan: Duh… I know there’s lots of sports!!!! I also know that most RTEs sports reporters, presenters and journalists served their time in other radio/tv stations, newspapers etc, , national and local. Its a grand number, granted, and probably why it generates all the begrudgery!!!…. same applies to most TV and radio stations but “Inner circle” conspiracy theories is a load of tosh!!!! Imo!! & no, I or anyone I know doesn’t work there!!!
Sad day for the parish. I’m going to miss his insightful commentary.
@Keith Duffy: what now
@Garreth mc mahon: ??
Yeah fair play.. time for a change
Rte gave this news to me as a breaking news notification on my phone. I thought he had died when it came up. But anyway…….it will be sad to see leave.
@Claire King: turn off notifications so
Hope he doesn’t forget to bring his hair dye
Joanne is good. She got a bit of grief when she started which was unfair but she has really grown into the role.
@Sean: agh come on ,no need for that sacrism here.
She tries her best.
Be good if it was Damien Lawler.
Anyone but JC
@Peter Roche: he played well for Portumna the weekend though?!
Don’t want to be loading the place up with too many Kerry lads, but Dara O Cinneide would be my choice. Proven host on TG4 and actually knows what he’s on about
@Summer Bay Devil: agree with you., he’s very good but wouldnt want to see him leave tg4
Sunday nights loss,Saturday and Sunday afternoon’s gain. Great reporter on a lot of sports
Wonder what female presenter is gonna take over for him….
Give it to Dalo. Be craic then for sure
@Sean Nihill: I think Dalos analysis is brilliant so I don’t think the presenting chair would suit him as you wouldn’t get much in the way of analysis as he’ll only be asking questions of other pundits. Anyway he has a busy pub to run :)
@Joe Markham: like wen they had spillane presenting the show in the 90s. Good pundit, not a good presenter.
Sean O Rourke is being lined up
Anna Geary or Ursula Jacob for sure