Arsenal transfer news: United urged to sign Sanchez, Wilshere to stay and more - 27th December 2017

Jose Mourinho urged to sign Alexis Sanchez

The Manchester United boss has come under criticism in recent weeks with several disappointing results, allowing local and title rivals, Manchester City to gain a huge lead at the top. Now, the Red Devils are looking at further signings to improve the squad and have several attackers on their radar.

Meanwhile, Alexis Sanchez is in the final year of his Arsenal contract and is unlikely to renew it. The Chilean almost left the Emirates in the summer to Manchester City but for the Gunners failing to land his replacement, AS Monaco's Thomas Lemar, in time.

Now, the January transfer window offers the 29-year old another opportunity to leave Arsenal and Manchester United are being urged to join Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for his signature.

According to Tony Cascarino of The Times, Manchester United should sign Sanchez in January. He said:

"I think United should try to snatch Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal. They managed it with Robin van Persie, and Mourinho would be able to offer him assured starts, whereas he might face more competition at City."

While Sanchez looks to have set his heart on joining Pep Guardiola's City, United can definitely match their rivals to sign the former Barcelona man.

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Wenger believes Wilshere will sign a new contract

What next?

The 25-year old's contract expires in the summer along with that of Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. However, there is a better chance of the Englishman staying at the Emirates compared to the duo and Wenger believes so as well. In the pre-match press conference ahead of the clash with Crystal Palace, the Gunners boss confirmed contract talks are set to commence and said:

"I will sit down with him, yes. I believe that, if we can meet a point of agreement financially, he will want to stay."

Wilshere has finally received Premier League starts owing to Aaron Ramsey's injury and was previously limited to playing in the Europa League. This has affected his World Cup hopes as England manager Gareth Southgate has preferred to call up the likes of Crystal Palace's Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Burnley's Jack Cork to the national team ahead of the Arsenal no. 10.

Thus, if Wilshere has to stay, it is very likely that Wenger needs to offer more playing time as well and in case that happens, the former will continue playing for the club he joined in 2001.

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Allardyce rules out Giroud bid in January

Allardyce rules out Everton bid for Giroud

The Everton manager is in the market for a centre-forward and Arsenal's Olivier Giroud was reportedly among the list. The Merseyside club were in for the player for quite some time now and he was close to joining them in the summer, as per reports. However, the move failed to materialize and the Frenchman extended his stay at the Emirates.

The 31-year old has struggled for game-time with new signing Alexandre Lacazette becoming the first-choice striker. Thus, rumours still persist on Giroud looking for an exit route in the upcoming January transfer window and Everton continue to be linked with the striker. When Toffees boss, Sam Allardyce was asked about signing Giroud in January, he said:

"I wouldn't have thought so because he refused to come last time. He doesn't want to move north of London, I don't think. Or his wife doesn't. It is very important to the wives you know. Normally they are the bosses, I say that with experience."

Wenger, however, laughed off Allardyce's claims about the forward's wife being the deciding factor and said:

"No, I don't think so. He could have joined Everton and stayed basically in London. I don't think that was the problem."

Either way, Everton looks to have dropped out of the race for the Frenchman and Arsenal have one club less to worry about.