By Chris Wright
One of the South African World Cup’s all too few redeeming features was the gung-ho ‘attack attack attack’ stylings of Marcelo Bielsa’s young(ish) Chile side – an enthusiastic ensemble that was embodied by effervescent Udinese winger Alexis Sanchez.
Sanchez came into the tournament on a wave of fizzy hype, with a string of fine performances in South Africa and, latterly, in Serie A last season ensuring that he has been in high demand ever since.
Most of Europe’s elite have been linked with Sanchez over the past year or so though, if the words of Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo are anything to go by, it seems like the Premier League’s highest high-rollers are in the driving seat to land the €45 million-rated 22-year old this summer:
“I think it is 50-50 he will stay, if Sanchez were to leave I would give City the highest percentage to sign him because English football is rich and it knows how to value young talent.
“Inter, Juventus, Barca and City are all after Sanchez but no concrete offers reflecting the value of the player have arrived.
‘I’ve already spoken with Alexis and his agent and I think they will understand I can’t give him away.”
For ‘English football…knows how to value young talent’ we think you can probably read ‘Man City have waved sacks and sacks and sacks of money under our noses’ – though, snarky cynicism aside, we would love to see the Sanchez lad plying his trade in the Premier League week in, week out next term.
Get to it City, you know what you have to do.