Alexis Sanchez wants to leave Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez holds the key to the Gunners’ hopes of signing Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Julian Draxler.

The Chilean is out of contract at the end of the season and his form so far this term is yet to vindicate the club’s decision to block his departure last summer.

Sanchez remains keen on joining Manchester City but Paris Saint-Germain are interested in signing him and would be willing to pay up to £30million in January.

Arsene Wenger was reluctant to let Sanchez leave last summer – especially to a rival Premier League club. However, he accepts the Chilean will not be signing a new deal and has begun the task of searching for his replacement.

Draxler is surplus to requirements in Paris (Picture: Getty)

Interest in Monaco ace Thomas Lemar is set to intensify this summer and Wenger has been alerted to the availability of Draxler.

The German is surplus to requirements under Unai Emery and Wenger has a long-held interest in Draxler.

According to the Daily Star, Wenger is willing to let Sanchez join the Ligue 1 giants in January if it means getting Draxler in return.

The French club are free to agree a pre-contract agreement with Sanchez in January but he would rather wait until the summer to join Manchester City so Draxler could well be used as a pawn in negotiations.d

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