In what will come as mixed news for Arsenal fans, Arsene Wenger has confirmed that no progress has been made on convincing Alexis Sanchez to sign a new contract at the Emirates stadium, although the Chilean forward will likely remain with the Gunners for another season.
Of course, what this means is that, should Sanchez continue to avoid putting pen to paper on a new deal, he will leave Arsenal for absolutely nothing in just under a year's time, rather than commanding a fee upwards of £40 million for the Gunners, this summer.
The Sanchez saga has dragged on for much of 2017, with the former Barcelona man storming out of a training session in March after a bust up with several of his teammates, which led to him being benched for the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield a few days later.
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Despite strong interest from Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, Wenger has always maintained that Sanchez would be going nowhere and, with just two weeks of the transfer window remaining, it looks as though the Arsenal manager will stay true to his word.
Despite another impressive season for himself personally, Sanchez grew frustrated with Arsenal's lack of progress, last term. Image: PA
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When asked about the situation with Sanchez, today, Wenger replied, via the Telegraph, "At the moment he is a player who goes into the final year of his contract and prepares for the season. We have not made any progress on the other front."
The Frenchman was then questioned about the possibility of Sanchez leaving the Emirates stadium on a free, to which the Arsenal manager replied, "That is a consequence of what I say, yes, unfortunately.
"But we have to make a choice between efficiency on the field and financial interest and most of the time if you can find a good compromise, it's better.
"But in this case, I think I prioritise the fact that he will be useful on the sporting side.
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"Look, let's not be wrong, it's not an ideal situation on the financial side and it demands some sacrifice but first of all it doesn't mean the players who are in the final year of their contract will not extend their contract.
"You have still that possibility and we work on that as well."
Sanchez has been a hero at the Emirates ever since he arrived from Barcelona, helping Arsenal lift two FA Cups. Images: PA
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Sanchez, a £32 million arrival from Barcelona in 2014, has arguably been Arsenal's most important player for the last three seasons, scoring 72 goals in 144 appearances for the Gunners, helping them lift the 2015 and 2017 FA Cups.
It has been reported several times over the last few months that the 28-year-old has grown frustrated with the club's lack of activity in the transfer market and didn't want to spend a season without Champions League football, with Arsenal finishing fifth in the Premier League, last term.
However, it would appear that the former Udinese man is set for another season in North London.
(H/T The Telegraph)
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Topics: Football, Alexis Sanchez, Arsene Wenger, Arsenal