Reports: Liverpool linked with audacious move for Arsenal superstar

What's the story?

Philippe Coutinho's future has been subject to intense speculation and now it seems that Liverpool have found the ideal replacement for the Brazilian superstar in Arsenal man Alexis Sanchez. According to Sky Sports Pundit Stelling (via Daily Star), Sanchez could be available for half the price of Coutinho.

Speaking to Sky Sports' The Verdict show, Stelling said: "If they go out and get £100m plus for Coutinho, they can go out and get Alexis Sanchez for less than half the price for all likelihood."

Sanchez has also been heavily linked with Manchester City, but it seems that the Gunners are reluctant to sell to domestic rivals although the Chilean is extremely keen on a move away from The Emirates.

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Has Alexis Sanchez played his last match for Arsenal?

Sanchez's contract along with Mesut Ozil and Oxlade-Chamberlain's runs out next year. With Arsenal in danger of losing these extremely valuable players on a free transfer next season, a bid at the right price might just convince the board to cash in on them.

Also, this is not the first time Liverpool have been interested in the Chilean superstar. Brendan Rodgers in a recent interview revealed how the Reds missed out on signing him:

"I manage the club how I want to but there were other conditions that meant that we could not get players that I wanted in. The huge blow for us was we felt we were getting Alexis Sanchez. We thought Luis [Suarez] was going and he would have been the like for like replacement."

Inspite of all this, it will be a huge shock if Liverpool do indeed end up signing the Arsenal star.

The heart of the matter

Undoubtedly Arsenal's best player at the moment, Sanchez has made it pretty clear that he would like to leave if given the chance. With Liverpool set to be cash rich after the potential sale of Coutinho, a bid of above £60 million could tempt the board to cash in on the 28-year-old forward.

Liverpool have also been linked with Arsenal target Lemar in the last few days and it promises to be an exciting and nervy end to the transfer window for both sets of fans.

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Sachez at his peak is quite easily among the best players in the world.

Author's take

Although Sanchez is desperate for a move away from Arsenal, the likelihood of him joining direct domestic rivals like Liverpool does not seem very high and it seems like the Gunners are determined to keep the Chilean for at least another season.