Arsenal close in on Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez is very close to becoming a Gunner. Barcelona and Arsenal have arrived at a deal on paper and the Chilean striker has agreed personal terms. Only the finer details need to be ironed out.

The 25-year-old will cost Arsenal in the region of €37 million. Liverpool had been hoping to land Sanchez as part of their likely deal to sell Suarez to Barca, but now it will have to be a straight cash transfer.

Sanchez came to the Nou Camp from Udinese in 2011 and has since netted 43 goals in 119 games. However, he knows that with the arrival of Uruguayan superstar Luis Suarez, his first team action will be severely reduced.

Juventus had been in the hunt for Sanchez but they then turned their attention to Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morato.

Arsenal have been busy as they are also close to signing French right-back Mathieu Debuchy from Newcastle. The future fee is thought to be around €12 million. They are believed to still be looking for a new holding midfielder and second-choice goalkeeper as Arsene Wenger plans his title push this season.