Here's why Alexis Sanchez won't end up at Atletico

There have been rumours linking Atletico with a move for Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez. There have been A LOT of rumours in fact. The move, on the face of it, makes some sense. Sanchez is supposedly disgruntled at his club’s lack of success and progression since he signed from Barcelona three years ago. Atleti, meanwhile, are in need of some star-studded talent considering the poor season they’ve endured so far. A line-up consisting of Sanchez, Antoine Griezmann, Yannick Carrasco, Koke seems exciting and would go a long way to ensuring the poor results this campaign has yielded will not be repeated in future.

However, the reported interest does look like it’s come as a result of the transfer window frenzy now that the market has re-opened. Sanchez would be the subject of a wide range of bids from across Europe, thus increasing his price tag far beyond what Atleti would be willing to pay. If we assume it would take upwards of €70million to sign the Chilean international, it’s unlikely the board would sanction such a deal for just one player. If that sort of money is available this summer, and the club manage to rid themselves of their transfer ban, it will go towards bringing in multiple reinforcements. Spending that amount of money on a lone signing isn’t something the club has ever been keen on.

The transfer ban is most probably going to stick as well, which would make this deal even more unfathomable. It’s not out of the question that Sanchez does leave the English club, seeing that they’ve fallen so far behind the Premier League leaders. It would take something magical for Arsenal to be crowned champions for the first time in thirteen years. A lack of success coupled with Arsenal’s tight wage budget means that the former Barcelona attacker could end up playing for his fourth different European club. It just won’t be Atleti.