Opinion: Do Bayern Munich really need Alexis Sanchez?

Bayern Munich cruised to their fifth consecutive Bundesliga title last season but there was still a letdown as they were ousted in the quarter-final stage of the Champions League. Two key architects of their recent success – Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso hanged up their boots at the end of the previous campaign, and they are now in the search for potential match-winners during this summer’s transfer window.

One name that comes into the mind is Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez. The Chile international has lived up to his billing during his three-year stint with the Gunners, but he is now craving for a much bigger challenge. Arsene Wenger’s side had qualified for the Champions League in each of the last 19 seasons, but next term will be an exception after they finished fifth in the English top-flight.

As a result, Sanchez is leaning towards a move to a Champions League-based club, although his wage demands could hinder his potential suitors from lodging a transfer attempt. The Chilean has had a fond relationship with national teammate Arturo Vidal over the years, and the Bayern Munich ace is doing the best on his part to lure the attacker to the Allianz Arena.

While Sanchez would provide a huge boost to any club at his peak form, the question is where he could potentially fit in the Bayern Munich setup. Although a left-sided winger by nature, the Chilean enjoyed most of his success in the centre-forward role for Arsenal – 17 goals and nine assists last term. With Robert Lewandowski in the ranks, the prospect of playing up front could be negated.

With Lewandowski in the ranks, the prospect of playing up front could be negated, and this possibly presents an opportunity on either wing. However, Arjen Robben is likely to push for a role on the right side of the attack and this possibly leaves a trio of Thomas Muller, Franck Ribery and James Rodriguez to fill up on the other flank.

Taking this into regard, Carlo Ancelotti has plenty of options to perform the wing duties including Kingsley Coman, and any deal for Sanchez would require the sale of one of the above mentioned. Douglas Costa has already left for Juventus on a season-long loan, but it could be said that Rodriguez has been brought in to fill the void.

Rodriguez has shone as the leading performer for Colombia over the years, and his arrival could potentially end any interest in Sanchez, who has a tendency of switching after particular periods of time. Two FA Cup titles in three seasons would be considered as a good success for any English club, but Sanchez appears to see things differently as he looks to take advantage of his contract situation in order to push through an exit.

Arsenal have lost key players to their domestic rivals over the years, but Arsene Wenger could still risk Sanchez for the final year of his Gunners deal in order to guide the club towards their first Premier League title since 2003/04.

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