We’re less than two weeks away from the start of the Premier League season and Alexis Sanchez is still an Arsenal player.
The Chilean was set to return to the club this weekend after being given an extended break due to his exertions in the Confederations Cup.
However, the forward fell ill a couple of days before his proposed return, meaning his pre-season will be delayed slightly.
However, when he does eventually head back to the Emirates, he has a plan.
With less than 12 months remaining on his contract, there are plenty of doubts surrounding Sanchez’s future.
Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germin, Manchester City and even Chelsea have been linked with a move for Sanchez this summer and the forward has done very little to assure Arsenal fans that he wants to stay.
Previous Sanchez comments on his future
During the Confederations Cup, he was asked if he would be a team-mate of City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo next season, Sanchez replied: "Good question. Right now I'm focused on the Confederations Cup. When this is finished I will see if I stay or if I go. I don't know."
Sanchez then confirmed he had made a decision when asked if his future was clear in his mind, adding: "Yes it's clear, but I can't tell you."
He also batted down a question over his Arsenal future.
"I don't know, my friend, I don't know," he told Sky Sports when asked what the chances were of him staying put.
What Sanchez will tell Wenger
Everything Sanchez is doing and saying suggests he wants to leave Arsenal this summer.
But Gooners won’t want to believe it until Sanchez actually comes out and says he wants to leave - and that could happen in the coming days.
According to the Mirror, Sanchez will tell Arsene Wenger that he wants to join Manchester City this week.
He is also ready to hand in a transfer request if Wenger refuses to let him leave amicably.
Both Bayern Munich and PSG have had to pull out a deal to sign Sanchez with the 28-year-old demanding a crazy £400,000-per-week.
City, though, are willing to pay that much and despite having the possibility of signing him on a free transfer in 12 months time, Pep Guardiola could pay £50 million to reunite with Sanchez.
Wenger on Sanchez's future
Despite Sanchez’s desperation and personal pleas to leave, Wenger spoke after Arsenal’s 5-2 victory over Benfica in the Emirates Cup and insisted that he will be staying.
“He has flu. I have spoken to him by text. We have been in touch with him and his doctor. He will come back as soon as possible,” the Frenchman explained.
“There’s no development. He’s staying. Of course.”
Something has got to give, though, and it's going to be interesting to see who wins this battle; Wenger or Sanchez.
