Former Manchester City boss, Manuel Pellegrini, has given an open invitation for Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez to join him in China. Pellegrini, who is currently managing Chinese Super League side Hebei China Fortune, is a big admirer of his countryman and wants Alexis to join the Far East Movement.
“If Alexis wants to come, we have a club for him right now - he can come to join us in China right now,” Pellegrini declared half-jokingly in an interview with La Nacion.
“Step by step Alexis has led a career with a lot of intelligence. He is one of the best in the world and he proves it every day; he is a complete winner and I hope he maintains his level as long as possible”.
The Chilean manager has been an avid fan of his compatriot and recently said he tried to sign him when at Manchester City. According to Pellegrini, FFP was the only reason he couldn’t sign the energetic attacker from Barcelona, who eventually moved to Arsenal.
Alexis has since gone on to be a huge hit at the North London club and is currently leading the Premier League scoring charts. But Sanchez is said to be in a contract stalemate with his current club and is said to be unhappy with Arsenal’s latest offer. Arsenal are currently trying to sign up new contracts for both, the forward as well as Mesut Ozil.
Talks have been slow, though, as the two stars are demanding a salary that would require Arsene Wenger to break the wage structure at Arsenal.
Alexis recently said that the ball is in Arsenal’s court as he is happy to stay at the club. “It really doesn’t depend on me,” Sanchez told Sky Sports News on Friday. “If they want to show confidence in me, I’m very happy. It depends on Arsenal. I enjoy the relationship with the fans. I want to achieve more for them. I want to win the Premier League and the Champions League.”
Arsene Wenger refused to comment on the matter in his pre-match presser before the Manchester City game. Upon being queried about his star man potentially moving to China, the Frenchman had this to say: “If people want to go to China, they go to China. I have different worries ahead of the Manchester City game”
A move to China can see Alexis potentially earning a wage up to the likes of €595,000 a week, the amount Ezequiel Lavezzi is currently earning at Hebei China Fortune. China has become a lucrative place for many South Americans, with Oscar linked with a January move to China as well as, more recently, Carlos Tevez. If Alexis does make the switch, he’ll be joining a horde of Brazilians, including Ramirez, Paulino, Alex Texeira and Hulk.
