Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes PSG want Kylian Mbappe not Alexis Sanchez

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James Olley9 August 2017

Arsene Wenger believes Paris Saint-Germain are not interested in Alexis Sanchez, instead targeting Monaco star Kylian Mbappe to conclude their summer business.

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi claimed last week that the club would pursue any interest in Sanchez by speaking to Wenger directly given the pair’s close relationship but the Frenchman has denied any contact.

“It’s a long time I didn’t speak to Nasser, because it’s certainly very busy to complete the transfer of Neymar and it’s a long time that I didn’t speak to him,” he said.

“I think if you read the French papers, they are on Kylian Mbappe’s case to finish their transfer market.”

Arsenal were also interested in Mbappe but PSG, Real Madrid and Barcelona have moved ahead of the Gunners in the race to sign the Monaco starlet.

Mbappe’s possible exit has complicated their efforts to prise another Monaco player, Thomas Lemar, away from the club with the Ligue 1 champions determined to hold onto some of their prize assets in the current transfer window.

The Gunners must also trim down a bloated first-team squad but are no closer to agreeing deals for several players who are allowed to leave including Lucas Perez, Kieran Gibbs and Mathieu Debuchy.