Alexis Sánchez to STAY at Arsenal - Report

The Alexis Sánchez saga has just taken a major turn, and it’s not good news for Manchester City. Arsenal have decided to keep the Chilean after learning they won’t have enough time to complete a deal with AS Monaco for Thomas Lemar, according to David Hytner of the Guardian.

Here’s the full report from Hytner:

“Alexis Sanchez is staying at Arsenal. That is the message from the club and it would now be a shock if there were to be any late turns to this infernal saga. Manchester City came in earlier today with a second offer for the Chile striker – of £55m, plus £5m in add-ons – but it has come down to Arsenal being able to sign a new attacking player. Quite simply, they look to have run out of time on that front. They wanted Monaco’s Thomas Lemar and the French club demanded that they pay 100m euros for him. Which Arsenal indicated they were willing to do. But there appears to be insufficient time for Arsenal to now agree a package with Lemar, particularly as he is in the France squad for this evening’s game against Holland – which kicks off in about three hours. Were Arsenal able to get Lemar, they would have been inclined to take the £60m from City for Sanchez. But it is unlikely to happen now.”

Of course, Arsenal could pull off a miraculous deal for Lemar, but given how incompetent they are at doing transfer business, Alexis will not join Manchester City after all.

Looks like we’ll save £60 million, then.