The journalist who recently wrote an opinion piece claiming that Sean Dyche should be made Arsenal manager now wants us to believe he has an EXCLUSIVE regarding Alexis Sanchez’s future – and he wants to return to Spain.

Writing in Wednesday’s Daily Star, David Woods tells us that Sevilla, yes, Sevilla, are in ‘pole position’ to land Alexis because of their manager, former Chile boss, Jorge Sampaoli.

170301 daily star alexis back cover

He also says that Atletico Madrid are interested – if they can get their transfer ban cut. Woods also throws in Juve and PSG, clubs who have been linked with Alexis for a while now and make much more sense than either of these two Spanish sides.

So what’s wrong with that?

Well, firstly, we’re told Alexis wants loadsamoney. From the information I could find, Sevilla’s highest-paid players in 2015/16 earned around £5m per year – that’s about £92k-per-week – significantly less than Alexis earns at Arsenal. Alexis, the press tell us repeatedly without source or quote, wants £250k-per-week (or £200k, depending on the week). Former Arsenal man, Samir Nasri, is currently on loan at Sevilla. Earning £120k-per-week, City are heavily subsidising his salary.

Secondly, we are led to believe that Alexis wants to win things. Sevilla have won three trophies in the last seven years – all of which were the Europa League – a competition I’m sure Alexis doesn’t even want to compete in. Probably better than the FA Cup, though, so I’ll give them that. In the league they have finished 7, 5, 5, 9, 9, 5 in the last six years. They are currently third, three points behind Real Madrid, two behind Barca and seven ahead of Atletico Madrid. They have won La Liga once in their history. In 1945/46.

Thirdly, Sevilla’s transfer record stands at £12.75m. Even Atletico Madrid would have to smash their transfer record to land Alexis. The highest amount they’ve ever paid for a player is £34m for Falcao back in 11/12. They’ve paid over £30m for a player twice.

Woods says Sevilla are in ‘pole position’ because of their manager, but fails to mention any of this other stuff which I assume he thinks is irrelevant.

What’s this Sean Dyche nonsense?

I’d never paid David Woods much attention. Then he wrote this piece and he kind of stuck in my mind:

daily star sean dyche

This was published the day before Burnley were knocked out of the FA Cup by Lincoln City. Also, look at the header with his name – ‘In the know inside the game’. Ok then.

What has that got to do with Alexis?

Nothing. It was just one of the stupidest things I’ve read in a long, long time from someone who claims to be ‘in the know’ and this was the first chance I’ve had to include it in a post properly.

Where is Woods getting his info from?

He doesn’t say. He doesn’t even hint. He just says ‘Alexis is believed’ a lot. Alexis is believed to want to leave London regardless of Wenger staying, the money Arsenal offer him or anything else. Alexis is believed to want a return to Spain. Alexis is believed to like flying monkeys. Etc etc.

So Alexis is staying?

I didn’t say that [cont below].

Like Wenger and Mesut Ozil, nobody knows what’s going to happen, certainly not David Woods at the Daily Star on the evidence of his back-page splash this morning.