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Arsene Wenger: 'Alexis Sanchez has not asked to leave Arsenal'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 24 July 2017

Wenger: 'Sanchez has not asked to leave'

Arsene Wenger reiterates that Alexis Sanchez is not for sale, claiming that Paris Saint-Germain have now given up trying to sign him and instead focused on Neymar.

Arsene Wenger has insisted that Alexis Sanchez has not asked to leave Arsenal, while also suggesting that Paris Saint-Germain may have tapped the player up.

The Chile international recently made clear that he intends to play Champions League football this coming season, which the Gunners cannot offer him.

Sanchez, who has just one year left to run on his current deal, was reportedly spotted holding talks with PSG chiefs in Paris last week as speculation over his future continues to mount.

Wenger remains adamant that his star forward will not be going anywhere this summer, however, claiming that the Ligue 1 side have only turned their attention to Barcelona ace Neymar because they know Sanchez is unavailable.

"Has he asked to leave? No. PSG can't get Sanchez, so they are going for Neymar," he told reporters. "My mind has been made up for a while now. I think I've made it clear a few times; that this is my stance.

"We are in a strong financial position. Sanchez has got one year to go on his contract and we have no need to make money. He will be part of the team next year and after that I can understand it."

Asked if the player may have been tapped up, Wenger added: "If you have top players you cannot stop it from happening. It's frustrating but you've got to fight against it.

"Honestly, it is a problem, I don't deny that. But is there a realistic way to fight against it? That's the question that I ask. We've fought against this for 20 years but it still happens. How can you check when an agent meets a director from another club or which player speaks to who?

"It happens every day. I don't know what we need to do really because no-one has found the right solution. We are respectful with the clubs. We ask them what they want to do, and if they don't want to sell then we don't insist. For some, that is where the difference is."

Manchester City have also been linked with the 28-year-old, who played a direct part in 34 league goals last term, but Arsenal are unlikely to sell to a direct rival.