With a new manager heading into the Allianz Arena dugout this summer, links with new players are to be expected.
Carlo Ancelotti is not the kind of head coach to demand big money signings but Bayern Munich became overly reliant on Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry, now 32 and 33 years of age, in recent seasons.
That has been rectified by Pep Guardiola, who has used new signings Douglas Costa and Kingsley Coman a lot so far this season, but Bayern could still do with more seeing as the pair dubbed ‘Robbery’ by fans are on their last legs. It doesn’t help that Mario Götze’s contract situation sees him likely to leave this summer.
The onus for goals rests heavily with Thomas Müller and Robert Lewandowski at the moment, but AS are reporting that Bayern are looking to change that by signing Alexis Sánchez in the summer.
Alexis has had an inconsistent season and needs a break before showing his real quality again after the summer. Arsenal fans will desperately hope he’s showing it in north London.
With a contract set to expire in two seasons, it’s time for the Gunners to negotiate with the Chilean, so a rumour like this could really strengthen his position if he and/or his agent are looking to make more money. Losing Alexis would be a huge shock and you’d expect Arsenal to do everything in their power to hold off any interested parties, including European heavyweights such as the Bavarian club.
That means contract negotiations are crucial and, with the story coming from Chile, you have to wonder if these reports have been planted. The 27-year-old isn’t the sort to go behind people’s backs and look for more money but, well, agents generally are.
Negotiations are set to take place between Alexis’ representatives and Arsenal this summer and, to be frank, we’re pretty confident we’ll see him playing for us when the window shuts.