ARSENE WENGER IS “sure” that Arsenal will not sell Alexis Sanchez to a Premier League rival, as they did with Robin van Persie’s switch to Manchester United in 2012.
The Chilean forward continues to be heavily linked with a summer transfer away from Emirates Stadium as he prepares to enter the final 12 months of his current contract.
Manchester City are reported to be leading the chase, with Alexis having previously worked with Pep Guardiola at Barcelona.
Wenger, though, is adamant that 28-year-old will be made to stay put even if he does not commit to fresh terms, with there no chance that a deal will be done with another English top-flight team.
He told reporters: “I don’t think that you would sell him to any Premier League club, that is for sure.
“The question is more, why would you sell him to another [Premier League] club? You want to be as strong as you can be, and not strengthen the other teams.
“I let Van Persie go in the last year of his contract because Van Persie was 29, going on 30 and he was signing a long-term contract. That is not the case with Alexis. I personally think he will sign and stay here.
“Even if he doesn’t sign a new deal, I will make him stay? Yes. Would I rather keep him than sell to a Premier League rival? Yes.
“But first of all, he is happy here. His desire is to stay. That is what I deeply believe.
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Alexis has netted 22 goals for Arsenal in all competitions this season, with the most recent of those seeing Arsenal edge out Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley.
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