Alexis Sanchez wants to play Champions League football
Sanchez has one year left on his contract and, amid interest from Manchester City and Bayern Munich, was quoted on Saturday saying he had made a decision over his future and wanted Champions League football.
Bayern Munich – the Gunners’ friendly opponents in Shanghai on their pre-season tour today – have now given up on the former Barcelona star – but Manchester City remain hopeful the player’s desire to quit the Emirates could yet spark a deal.
But Wenger has effectively said that he and Arsenal are happy to forego any transfer fee they might receive for player who does not want to be at the club, simply to get one more year out of him and allow him to walk away for nothing next year.
“The decision has been made and we will stick to that,” said Wenger. “The decision is not to sell.”
For the first time in two decades Arsenal are not involved in the Champions League and instead the Gunners will play in the Europa League.
Gabriele Marcotti: It's up to Arsenal to convince Sanchez to stay
The decision is not to sell
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
And Sanchez told local media in Chile that his dream was to win the Champions League, not perform against also-rans on Thursday nights.
“I have made my decision, but now the decision has to be taken by Arsenal,” he said on Saturday.
“It depends on them. I have to wait to know what they want. My idea is to play and win the Champions League.
"It’s a dream I have had since I was little.”
GETTY
Arsene Wenger is adamant Alexis Sanchez will not be sold this summer
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But Wenger – famed for claiming he had not seen controversial incidents involving his players – insisted he had heard something completely different.
“I don’t give too much importance to things that are translated, you know,” he said. “The whole interview that I got didn’t really mean that.”
Wenger also hinted he might let Sanchez off Europa League duty, so long as he was on top form in domestic matches.
“The main focus for us is to concentrate on the Premier League and the Premier League for me today is more important than the Champions League,” he said.
“We rested sometimes players in the group stages of the Champions League for the Premier League so that’s become the biggest importance for us.
“We played 20 years in the Champions League, that’s 17 years before Sanchez arrived and three years with him so he can get us back in there.”
Wenger is hopeful of concluding a £45million deal for Monaco winger Thomas Lemar after two bids were rejected.
Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny is set to be sold to Juventus for £10m and defenders Carl Jenkinson, Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers and Kieran Gibb could also be moved in in the next few weeks.
