Rio Ferdinand, alongside Ian Wright on the BT Sport panel, has urged Arsenal to pay Alexis Sanchez whatever he wants.

The Chilean, who scored a hattrick against West Ham during the Gunner’s 5-1 win, has only 18 months left on his current Arsenal deal and although negotiations SEEM to be going ahead, Ferdinand believes the club should do everything within their power to keep him.

To be honest, I can’t disagree.

Speaking after the match, the former Manchester United defender said that the forward can pretty much demand as much money if he wants.

“If he comes in and says ‘I want to be the top paid player at the club’, they can’t argue!” Rio said.

He also – quite rightly – pointed out that Alexis has already been at a ‘top European side’ when he was at Barcelona but it didn’t work out. Now, he’s the main man and can help Arsenal win titles if we can get him to stay.

It’s oddly unsettling, all this agreeing with Rio Ferdinand.