Alexis Sanchez would be welcomed at Paris Saint-Germain, claims Dani Alves, after the Arsenal star failed to inspire Chile to the 2018 World Cup.
La Roja's talisman met Alves and Brazil on Tuesday night, with the Selecao securing a 3-0 victory that ensured the Copa America champions failed to finish inside CONMEBOL's top five.
Sanchez has been linked with a move to PSG as his contract winds down and Alves, who joined this summer from Juventus, would welcome the Gunners star in a future move.
“It’s a possibility [he could join PSG]. He’s courted by many teams," Alves said.
“It would be nice if he joined us. I will always appreciate him and I will always wish him the best wherever he goes.”
There will be no World Cup next summer for forward Sanchez, who will be keen to see the back of 2017. Chile suffered last-gasp heartbreak failed to get out of their qualifying group, the latest in a series of blows this year for the 28 year-old.
The 3-0 defeat against Brazil saw Chile fall from third to sixth place – one outside the play-off spot – but that only tells half the story.
Chile conceded a late third, scored by Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus, after his Etihad club-mate and La Roja goalkeeper Claudio Bravo went up for a corner.
Had Chile scored they would have beaten Peru to the play-off place on the basis of the two nation’s head-to-head records.
And in another twist, Peru’s equaliser which saw them nick the last qualifying spot also came in bizarre circumstances.
Sanchez’s Arsenal teammate and Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina got a hand on the successful, late Peru indirect free-kick, which then meant the goal was allowed to stand.
Had Ospina just let the ball in it would have been disallowed. Sanchez will now finally get a summer break having not had a full season off since 2013 when he was at Barcelona.
But that is likely to be of little consolation after a year to forget so far.
During the second half of last season Sanchez dissatisfaction with life at Arsenal became clear in a number of public tantrums before the Gunners missed out on a top four finish and Champions League football.
Sanchez then hoped to escape the Emirates and secure a summer move to Manchester City.
On deadline day in August, while he was away with Chile, he seemed all set to get his wish only to see his hopes dashed at the death, leaving him forced to remain in North London.
Failing to make the Ballon d’Or shortlist this week despite scoring 31 goals for club and country last season was another setback.
And Chile’s World Cup exit, after losing three of their final four qualifiers this season, has rubbed salt in the wounds.