Alexis Sanchez has returned to training at Arsenal.
The Chilean forward touched down in London earlier today and was soon at Arsenal’s Colney training base as he returned to the club with his long-term future in doubt.
Sanchez’s contract expires at the end of the coming season and he has yet to respond to Arsenal’s offer of new terms worth up to £300,000-a-week, having also made clear his wish to play in the Champions League next season.
However, there was little sign of the turmoil that has engulfed him in recent weeks as he posed for pictures with Arsenal photographers.
As every Arsenal player has on their return from summer breaks, Sanchez began with one-on-one drills.
Standard Sport understands the forward will remain away from the first-team squad over the coming days as his fitness is assessed.
Strength and conditioning coach Barry Solan put Sanchez through his paces whilst the forward also underwent ball work.
Sanchez’s return to Arsenal training had initially been set for Sunday but he was given permission to remain in Chile to recover from the flu before setting off yesterday.
Speaking after Saturday’s Emirates Cup win over Benfica, Arsene Wenger confirmed there had been "no developments" over Sanchez’s future, adding: "He’s staying, of course."
The Arsenal manager appeared to concede that Sanchez’s post on Instagram, in which he confirmed his illness, could have been misinterpreted as relating to the speculation over his future.
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Wenger added: "Your job is to be suspicious. Your job is built on mistrust and mine is built on trust. So that’s why I prefer my side."
Manchester City appear to be the leading contenders for Sanchez’s signature after Paris Saint-Germain, targeting Neymar, and Bayern Munich, bringing in James Rodriguez on loan, dropped out of the race.
However, Wenger has insisted throughout the summer that Arsenal will not sell last season’s top scorer, even if it means losing him on a free next summer.
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