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ARSENE'S FIVE-STAR OPTIONS

Alexis Sanchez replacements: Arsenal could sign these five stars for £70m when Chilean ace leaves

Our friends at Football Whispers look at the attackers Arsene Wenger might consider if he eventually  loses his main man

MANCHESTER CITY remain extremely confident of poaching Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal, despite missing out on deadline day.

And Arsene Wenger has admitted that the Chilean could leave after failing to agree a new deal.

 Arsene Wenger might have to look for long-term options to replace star man Alexis Sanchez
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Arsene Wenger might have to look for long-term options to replace star man Alexis SanchezCredit: Rex Features
 Alexis Sanchez is still tipped to leave although Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger hopes the Chilean will sign a new contract
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Alexis Sanchez is still tipped to leave although Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger hopes the Chilean will sign a new contractCredit: Rex Features

He told beIN Sports: “You take Sanchez into the final year of his contract, you sacrifice £60m-£70m income, and at the end of the season you will have to buy somebody for that amount of money, so it has a huge price.

“At some stage you have to make a decision, you have to sacrifice one or two.”

Football Whispers have picked out five players who would fit the Gunners price range and could replace Sánchez next summer.

The French boss admitted that he did make a £92million bid for Liverpool transfer target Thomas Lemar and that he hasn’t quite given up hope of landing the France international.

However, Monaco’s stance on demanding around £100million for their 21-year-old could scupper any future move unless a couple of the current Gunners squad were sold on.

 

Yannick Carrasco: Atletico Madrid

 Ex-Monaco wideman Yannick Carrasco has continued to progress at Atletico
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Ex-Monaco wideman Yannick Carrasco has continued to progress at AtleticoCredit: AFP or licensors
 Arsene Wenger would face a massive task of he needed to replace Alexis Sanchez
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Arsene Wenger would face a massive task of he needed to replace Alexis SanchezCredit: AFP or licensors

The former Monaco winger has continued to mature since leaving Monaco two years ago.

Still only 24 years old, the Belgian contributed to 14 goals for Atleti in La Liga last season.

More of a creator than a goal-scorer, his ability to run at defenders at speed is a joy to watch.

He can finish too, and perhaps playing on the left of Wenger’s 3-4-3 he would have more freedom to push higher up the pitch and become even more of a threat. Contracted until 2022, he won’t come cheap.

Emil Forsberg: RB Leipzig

 Swedish winger Emil Forsberg was one of the main reasons for the amazing Leipzig success story last season
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Swedish winger Emil Forsberg was one of the main reasons for the amazing Leipzig success story last seasonCredit: AFP or licensors

The then-newly-promoted German side were one of the stories of European football last term and, away from Liverpool signing Naby Keïta, it was Swedish winger Emil Forsberg who caught the attention in the final third.

With his flowing blonde hair, he has pace, the ability to cut inside and a keen eye for a pass.  He was sensational for the German side last season, showing pace and creativity down the left flank.

As well as scoring eight times in 27 starts, he added an incredible 19 assists and was rumoured to be a Liverpool transfer target. In July it was quoted he would cost around £30million. His current deal lasts until 2022 and with the way the market has exploded that figure could now be doubled.

Lorenzo Insigne: Napoli

 Lorenzo Insigne is the type of fast-raiding counter-attacker Arsenal would love down their left flank
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Lorenzo Insigne is the type of fast-raiding counter-attacker Arsenal would love down their left flankCredit: Rex Features

Insigne is one third of Maurizio Sarri’s sensational attack. Both he and Dries Mertens were linked with moves away from the south of Italy during the summer, though neither will be easy to prise away from Serie A.

“I want to win something with Napoli,” the 26-year-old admitted in a recent interview. “Then qualify for the World Cup with Italy and pick up a great deal of experience.”

He is exactly the type of player Arsenal would love on the left of their attack. Quick, skillful and a huge threat on the counter-attack. He would have the Emirates crowd on their feet every week and would be worth every penny it cost to make him a permanent feature.

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Thomas Muller: Bayern Munich

 Thomas Muller has a perfect pedigree - with Bayern Munich and Germany
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Thomas Muller has a perfect pedigree - with Bayern Munich and GermanyCredit: Rex Features

Formerly believed to be one of the best forwards in Europe, things have gone a little sour for Müller at Bayern Munich. After a slow start, the 27-year-old finished with 12 assists in 25 Bundesliga starts last season. However, he found the net just five times.

During the 2015/16 campaign he scored 20 and his off-the-ball movement was thought to be one of the best around. Known to also be a Liverpool and Chelsea transfer target, all three clubs are expected to enquire again in January. Bringing him in before having to let Sánchez leave would be a great move from Wenger.

Marco Reus: Borussia Dortmund

 Marco Reus would be an ideal replacement for Alexis Sanchez as he can play on either wing or through the middle
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Marco Reus would be an ideal replacement for Alexis Sanchez as he can play on either wing or through the middleCredit: EPA

Similar to that of the Chile international, Reus is a versatile forward who can play on either wing or through the middle and would be an ideal replacement. Wenger is reportedly an admirer of the German and, after battling back from injury last season, the 28-year-old contributed to 11 goals in just 16 Bundesliga starts.

Valued at around £70million by BVB, he may not have sell on value and be any younger than Sánchez, but his dynamism, pace and direct style would be a welcome addition to the Gunners attack.

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