Arsenal transfer news: Alexis Sanchez running out of options
Bayern Munich reject Chilean's wage demands, but Barcelona still keen on Bellerin - latest Arsenal transfer news and gossip
Alexis Sanchez's hopes of a fresh start next season away from the Emirates have taken another blow with Metro's claim that Bayern Munich are "looking at alternative transfer targets" on account of the Chilean's exorbitant wage demands.
Taking its cue from German paper Bild, Metro says that Sanchez "is demanding €25m (£22m) a year" and that's way out of Bayern's price range. Apparently the German champs believe the South American is not going to drop his demands and so they've already started looking elsewhere for frontline reinforcements with Atletico Madrid's Yannick Carrasco on their shopping list.
Sanchez's alleged greed could have serious ramifications for him after Arsenal made it clear earlier in the week that they wouldn't sell him to Manchester City as they're a Premier League rival.
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Meanwhile Barcelona's pursuit of Hector Bellerin appears to be playing dividends, reports Metro, with the paper reporting that the 22-year-old defender "wants to move" to the Camp Nou this summer. Rumours have been circulating for a while that the Arsenal right-back was being targeted by his former club, despite the fact that Bellerin penned a new long-term contract last November with the Gunners.
But it seems that the youngster's resistance is weakening, at least according to Spain Under-21 teammate Denis Suarez. In an interview with Spanish radio Suarez - who is currently on international duty with the Arsenal star - was asked if he could shed any light on the situation. "I have spoken with Bellerin," explained Suarez. "On the one hand he wants to come to Barca and on the other he feels tied to the Arsenal."
Still in Spain and The Sun says that Arsenal and Tottenham are ready to "slug it out for Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic". The Croatian playmaker has failed to shore up regular starting spot with the European champions and apparently he's now contemplating a move elsewhere for first-team football. The 23-year-old arrived in Spain from Inter Milan in 2015 in a £27m deal, and the Sun says Real would expect a similar sum should a bid land on their desk.
The Gunners are believed to be frontrunners in the chase with Spanish outlet Dario Gol saying that Spurs would only make a pitch for Kovacic should they lose Dele Alli, something they are not seriously contemplating.
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