Alexis Sanchez has not asked to leave Chile squad to complete Arsenal exit, confirms FA president

Alex Young @alexwsyoung29 August 2017

Chile's FA president, Arturo Salah, has confirmed Alexis Sanchez did not ask to leave the national team squad to sort out his Arsenal future.

Reports in the forward's homeland claimed on Wednesday that Sanchez had been granted permission to complete transfer away from Arsenal, with Manchester City stepping up their summer-long interest before Thursday's transfer deadline.

Standard Sport understands Sanchez has informed Arsene Wenger of his desire to leave the club and an offer in the region of £70million would test the manager's public stance that bids will not be entertained.

Chile are in action on Thursday evening, facing Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier 30 minutes after the Premier League transfer window shuts, and Salah has denied Sanchez asked to leave the training camp.

Salah told reporters: "Juan Antonio Pizzi confirmed to me that it is totally false that Alexis Sánchez asked permission to leave."

The Chile FA president added that Sanchez was training as expected amid the speculation over his club future.