Alexis Sanchez is an Arsenal player. Whether that’s still the case a few weeks from now remains to be seen.
The Chilean has yet to agree an extension to his deal at the Emirates and, with no Champions League on offer there this season, has been linked with moves away from the club all summer long.
Manchester City was reported to be his preferred destination several weeks ago, with a reunion with Pep Guardiola, his old boss at Barcelona, said to be a key factor.
Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be interested in bringing Sanchez to the French capital, with the Independent reporting they’re poised to follow their world record-breaking move for Neymar with an £80m bid for the Arsenal number seven.
Speaking at a press conference held at Arsenal’s training base on Wednesday morning, Arsene Wenger said that PSG had not been in contact about Sanchez, later adding that the club are not open to any offers for the player.
At Colney. Wenger says he has not had any contact with PSG over Alexis Sanchez.
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) August 9, 2017
He did, however, provide another update: that Sanchez had suffered an abdominal strain which would see him miss their Premier League opener at home to Leicester on Friday evening.
Sanchez has an abdominal strain suffered on Sunday morning. He is out for "a while" 1-2 weeks. #AFC
— Mark Mann-Bryans (@MarkyMBryans) August 9, 2017
Despite earlier claims that the club were not entertaining offers for him, many were jumping to conclusions about what the injury might actually mean…
https://twitter.com/stevo1640/status/895195040875769856
Alexis Sanchez 'injured' again and will miss the season opener. Must be on his way out?
— joe (@xjoev_) August 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/nigelhume/status/895193836699430912
This is typical of a player who's leaving. I really hope that's not the case with Sanchez
— harshil kachhawa (@harshilkachhawa) August 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/naijaGunner90/status/895194801091616768
Alexis "injured" yeah ok. 🖕🏼
— AFC GLEN (@AFC_GLEN) August 9, 2017