Arsenal plot move for Anthony Martial as Alexis Sanchez’s replacement

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will ready plot a move for Manchester United forward Anthony Martial, should they cash in on Alexis Sanchez during the winter transfer window. The Gunners are said to be mulling over the sale of Sanchez with his contract expiring at the end of the campaign.

According to The Mirror, the north London giants could accept a bargain deal for Sanchez in the New Year – with the Chilean showing no signs of extending his contract. The 28-year-old was on the cusp of securing a switch to Manchester City last summer, but the deal fell through on transfer deadline day after the Gunners failed to find a suitable replacement.

Since then, Sanchez has carried on his first-team duties at a relatively normal pace, although he is partly frustrated by his failure to join the Citizens in the summer. As per The Mirror, Wenger could entertain the Chilean’s exit at the start of 2018 with Martial identified as a like for like replacement.

The former Monaco graduate is capable of playing on the left wing or through the middle, and this matches the positional attributes of Sanchez, who has excelled at Arsenal over the past year. Martial has also been in good form for the Red Devils this term, but he still remains a regular from the substitutes’ bench.

The 21-year-old has shown a vast improvement on his work-rate from the previous season, and he still finds himself Marcus Rashford, who is the first-choice on the left wing for Premier League duties. In contrast, the Gunners are prepared to assure the Frenchman with regular top-flight football, although a transfer in January looks unlikely.

Jose Mourinho is well known for blocking Demba Ba’s move to the Emirates a few years ago, and the manager is unlikely to entertain thoughts of selling Martial to the Gunners, as it could potentially strengthen a direct league rival.

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