Arsenal would be willing to sell Alexis Sanchez to Chelsea if
they received an offer of around £50million, according to Paul Merson.
Sanchez is out of contract in 2018 and talks over a renewal are on hold until the end of the season.
If the Chile international cannot be convinced to extend, former
Arsenal star Merson does not think
Chelsea's status as a rival club
would stop Arsene Wenger from selling, given he would be desperate to
avoid losing him for nothing the following year.
He feels the 2012 sale of Robin van Persie to Manchester United when
he had one year left on his contract is a sign of what is likely to
happen at the end of this season.
And Merson believes Sanchez's arrival at Stamford Bridge would give
Chelsea an impressive replacement if Eden Hazard is sold to Real Madrid,
as reports in Spain have suggested is a possibility.
"I think Sanchez will leave this summer," Merson said to Sporting Life.
"I don't think Arsenal will finish in the top four and if they don't finish in the top four then I don't see him staying.
"I know the way Arsenal work so there is no way they will let Sanchez
leave for nothing if they can get £50m for him in the summer.
"They will have no qualms in selling him to Chelsea. Arsenal will
have no choice - if Chelsea are the team that are prepared to pay £50m
then Arsenal won't let him see his contract out.
"People say, 'Oh well, they won't sell to Chelsea', but they sold
Robin van Persie to Manchester United so they won't be fussed about
that.
"I definitely think Sanchez could be a Chelsea player next season. He is a world-class footballer so he would fit in at Chelsea.
"People say he is not the same player but he will get you a lot more
goals than Hazard. If they can sign Sanchez for £50m and get £100m for
Hazard then I think that is good business."
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