Chelsea have been given encouragement in their pursuit of Alexis Sanchez after the Arsenal star revealed he is looking to stay in London.
Sanchez will have 12 months remaining on his existing deal at the end of the season and Arsenal will be forced to sell their No.7 if he fails to agree terms on a new deal.
The Chile international insists he wants to see out his current deal at Arsenal but Arsene Wenger’s side will not want to let the former Barcelona ace run down his contract and leave for nothing at the end of next season.
Sanchez has emerged as Chelsea’s top transfer target ahead of the summer and Antonio Conte’s side appear to have moved to the front of the queue for his services with Sanchez keen to remain in London.
“I am happy in London and I hope to finish my contract there,” Sky Sports quote Sanchez as saying. “I’d like to stay in the city but with a team that is winning things, that has a winning mentality.
“I’m 28 years old, I still have a lot of years ahead of me. I am a player who looks after himself.”
Sanchez has been in superb form for Arsenal this season and will not be short of suitors should the Gunners be forced to cash in in the summer. In fact, no player has scored or assisted more goals in the Premier League this season than Sanchez (28).
For more stats on Alexis Sanchez, click here to visit his WhoScored player page