Alexis Sanchez moved to Arsenal despite a higher bid from Liverpool

Alexis Sanchez celebrates his goal against Sunderland

Spanish newspaper Sport have reported that Barcelona took a £3million hit to allow the Chilean to move to the club of his wish in the summer. Both Arsenal and Liverpool had bid for his services, and reports have come out that Brendan Rodgers had instructed his officials to outbid their rivals when push came to shove.

Rodgers had envisioned that Sanchez would be the man to fill the void left by Luis Suarez’s sale, but the straight swap with Barcelona was not conducted when push did come to shove because the player’s own wishes were respected. Liverpool had offered £38million for him, as can be estimated from the reports, but were still turned down.

Another thing that would have helped Arsenal’s case is the similar style of play practised at the Emirates and Camp Nou, and the long tradition the two clubs have had of conducting big-money transactions for players between themselves – Marc Overmars, Thierry Henry and Thomas Vermaelen to name a few.

Speaking after Sanchez’s move to the Emirates Stadium in July, the Reds’ boss had declared: “He’s a fantastic player and would have suited us...It wasn't due to a lack of ambition by the club.It was about where the player and his family wanted to choose to live."

Sanchez going to be a star of the Premier League: Carragher

Liverpool’s loss has definitely been Arsenal’s gain, whose addition to the Arsenal roster has looked as of yet like a match made in divine quarters. His lightning pace has dazzled the English Premier League, and he has consistently saved Arsenal the blushes with his knack of turning up in goalscoring positions.

Sanchez has scored 10 goals in 16 matches in all competitions as of now, including 4 in his last two Premier League outings.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s attacking options have shown plenty of room for improvement, and Rodgers has been forced to defending Mario Balotelli’s lacklustre displays, the striker he had to finally settle for and who is yet to find his feet back in England.

With more than a tinge of regret, ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said on Monday Night Footbal,”I'm disappointed he's not at Liverpool. He's looking like he's going to be a star of the Premier League."

Sanchez happy at Arsenal

Chilean reports had suggested last week that Alexis was in a state of unrest in his new club because of a lack of support and effort from team-mates, but the man in question has squashed all such rumours by posting an image of himself in Arsenal colours as the first tweet on his official account.

Alexis Sanchez is clearly getting the hang of how things are done the British way, and faster than most people had expected.

Mi primer tweet ! / My first tweet !!! pic.twitter.com/Fo1K5WhE4P

— Alexis Sánchez (@Alexis_Sanchez) October 30, 2014