Arsenal will reportedly do everything they possibly can to keep hold of their talisman Alexis Sanchez, despite rumours swirling that he’s a target for Real Madrid.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes.net (h/t George Bellshaw of Metro) Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is to do everything to prevent a transfer coming to fruition.

It’s been claimed recently that Alexis will be offered a new contract with the Londoners that will see him become the top earner at the Emirates Stadium, per Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail.

The former Barcelona man has taken the Premier League by storm since departing the La Liga giants for Arsenal in 2014.

After a slow start to the current campaign, he has burst into life in recent weeks, as we can see here courtesy of Squawka Football:

Naturally, he’s become a big fan favourite at the Emirates, but links to teams as illustrious as Real Madrid will come as something of a concern to Arsenal fans. After all, the club do have a history in moving on prized assets, with the Gunners cashing in on the likes of Samir Nasri, Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas and Alex Song down the years.

However, Alexis has insisted recently he his enjoying life with the Gunners and doesn’t want to go anywhere. “I’m very happy at Arsenal,” he told Spanish publication La Tercera (h/t ESPN FC). “I don’t think about leaving.”

As we can see here courtesy of Arsenal Mania, the forward seems intent on make the Gunners more popular with his compatriots, too:

Sanchez is emitting the aura of a player contented at the Emirates. He’s a footballer who seems to be at his best, whether for Arsenal or Chile, when he has big responsibility on his shoulders.

While the prospect of a move to Real Madrid could earn him more chances of winning top honours, at Arsenal, he has the perfect foundation to become one of the best players in the world.

Anyway, where would he fit into what is already a star-studded Los Blancos attacking lineup? While the best offensive players in the game will always be linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, there are other facets of this squad that need much more immediate replenishment.

 

Jese Linked With Loan Switch

Real Madrid winger Jese Rodriguez has been linked with a surprise loan switch to Premier League strugglers Aston Villa, with the 22-year-old finding minutes hard to come by under the tutelage of manager Rafa Benitez.

According to M.A. del Pozo of AS, the Midlands club are hopeful of taking the winger on a temporary deal in January, but they are likely to face stiff competition from the likes of Inter Milan and Napoli. Arsenal have also been linked with Jese, per Peter Martin of Sport.

Here’s a glimpse at what he could potentially offer those teams should he join on loan:

Jese has only played a meagre 134 minutes of La Liga football this season, which is far from ideal for a youngster who needs regular playing time after some awful luck with injuries.

The Los Blancos starlet has found it tough to get into the team with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema taking the front three spots. In addition, quality footballers like Isco, James Rodriguez, Lucas Vazquez and Denis Cheryshev are also vying for places in the attacking areas of the team.

As noted by Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe earlier in the year, Jese hasn’t quite lived up to the potential he showcased when he first burst onto the scene a couple of years ago:

Madrid won’t want to lose him permanently. After all, the squad is short of players who have been schooled by the club’s academy and Spaniards in general.

Should he rediscover his best, Jese is a player capable of giving Los Blancos a coveted local identity.

Villa are a team who would certainly be able to give Jese time on the field, and the robust nature of the Premier League, while tough to adapt to quickly, would improve the winger in the long-term.

However, you suspect illustrious options such as Arsenal, Inter and Napoli would be more tantalising should Jese get farmed out for the rest of 2015-16.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1MujhPb
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J