With Alexis Sanchez’s contract with Arsenal entering its last six months, it’s rumored Pep Guardiola is keen to sign the forward to Manchester City. But is Sanchez really what Man. City needs at this stage?
It feels like deja-vu. Much like the last season break, this summer, Sanchez is reportedly looking to leave Arsenal. The player has so far not signed another contract. His current deal expires at the end of the season.
Gunners’ manager Arsene Wenger is publicly confident he will get the player to stay. As with Mesut Ozil, the fact that the club may lose the talented two players on a free deal in the summer has not affected the decision to have them play for the club. Arsenal is in thick waters and its stars are reacting to this.
Enter Pep Guardiola. The Spaniard reportedly wanted to sign Sanchez in the summer. Talks broke down. Clearly, the manager was aware he may get a second chance. And this time he would not have to pay a transfer fee. But is Sanchez the player City need at this point?
Manchester City is in first place. They have dominated the English Premier League this season. Expectations are that they will win the title. Concerns about their attacking strength have been quickly put to rest. In the EPL, City has scored 56 in 18 games. in fact, Guardiola has had to adopt a rotation policy in attack. The team has, regularly, either featured Sergio Aguero or Gabriel Jesus. Both have shown great potential.
Pep Guardiola was recently asked about the supposed transfer. In typical fashion, the manager avoided giving a clear answer. Will City sign Sanchez? “Good question,” the manager diverted the question. “[Ask me about matters] on the pitch, you know ….transfer window is for winter time. I don’t know, believe me, I don’t know what we are going to do because it’s not…”
Alexis Sanchez is one of EPL’s most talented players. That is certain. However, he is also a player that, on several occasions, failed up to live to expectations when Arsenal was struggling. Manchester City has found a great rhythm with their current squad. Guardiola certainly wants to improve the squad. Back-ups, especially, are needed. However, he must know how easy it is to break the cohesiveness he has worked so hard to achieve at the club.
Man. City will most likely hold until the summer to try and sign Sanchez. They will then avoid paying the fee Arsenal were looking for in the Summer. However, should City be champions by then, they will likely have to consider whether Sanchez is their best option.
