Sanchez’s huge demand

LONDON. – Alexis Sanchez is demanding a staggering £400 000-a-week to sign a new deal at Arsenal.

It leaves Arsenal at a contract stand-off as they have so far offered in excess of £275 000-a-week but Sanchez holds the aces as he has got one year left on his current deal.

Manchester City are keen to sign him but Arsenal are desperate not to sell to a Premier League rival.

Bayern Munich have been scared off by Sanchez’s demands and there is a growing feeling he is ready to see out his contract and leave on a free.

Arsenal would then face a dilemma over whether to cash in or gamble on him signing during his final year. It is a major dilemma for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger but the figures reveal the reasons as to why they have not been able to tie down Sanchez. Mesut Ozil has been asking for £350 000-a-week and he is also entering the final year of his contract.

Arsenal have confirmed the record £52million signing of Alexandre Lacazette and that will show their ambition and perhaps persuade Sanchez and Ozil.

They have yet to receive any firm offers despite interest from Everton and West Ham for Olivier Giroud.

But Lucas Perez, who has barely played since arriving last summer, could rejoin Deportivo La Coruna in the next few days.

But Wenger insists Lacazette’s arrival will give them greater options up front.

Wenger said: “We are very happy to have Alexandre join our group. He has shown over a number of years that he can score goals and that he is a very efficient finisher.

“As well, he has very interesting technical qualities and a strong character. So he is a guy who is a great addition for us, and someone who will help us challenge at the top level this season.”

Meanwhile, Hector Bellerin’s time at Arsenal appears to be over, according to reports in Spain.

The right-back has been linked with a return to Barcelona for months – with Arsenal refusing to talk business with the Catalan giants. But, as SunSport revealed earlier this week, Bellerin went to Wenger and held a face-to-face meeting to plea with the Gunners to change their stance.

After an initial refusal, Wenger and Arsenal are now “ready to listen to offers” from Barca, according to Spanish newspaper Sport. – The Mirror.