Sanchez ‘calls Arsenal boss Arteta’ to request transfer return on a free

Alexis Sanchez has reportedly called Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to request to rejoin the club this summer on a free transfer. The Chile international was exceptional during his four years with the Gunners but hasn’t looked like the same player since leaving the Emirates in 2018.

Chilean newspaper La Tercera claim Sanchez is desperate to move back to Arsenal as his contract nears its end at Marseille. However, Arteta is said to have snubbed the offer because resigning his former team-mate does not fit into his summer plans despite him being available for nothing.

Sanchez racked up 80 goals in 166 appearances for Arsenal before moving to Manchester United in a swap deal that saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan move the opposite way. He failed to impress at Old Trafford over two seasons and was swiftly moved on to Inter Milan where he was once again unable to replicate his previous form.

A recent move to Marseille has seen the Chilean produce glimpses of his former self but clearly not enough to impress Arteta. The 34-year-old has previously spoken about the special place Arsenal has in his heart and the fond memory he has playing for the club.

“I have great affection for Arsenal and great memories from my time there, and beating Spurs, every time it was very special,” said Sanchez. “These are memories I hold close to my heart and cherish.”

He also spoke about his regret in leaving the club for United five years ago. “Sometimes there are things that you don’t realise until you get there, and I remember the first training session I had, I realised a lot of things,” added Sanchez.

“After the session I got home and I told my family and my agent ‘can you not rip up the contract to go back to Arsenal?’ They laughed, I told them there’s something that doesn’t sit right, it doesn’t seem good.

“But I already signed, I was already there. After the first few months I carried on having the same feeling, we weren’t united as a team in that moment.”