Alexis Sanchez is finally eligible to join Messi, David Villa and Pedro in FC Barcelona attack after the 22-year-old Chilean striker received a five-year deal from the European champions with whom he is to spend at least five seasons. The Catalans completed the deal with Udinese, the move being worth 26 million euros net and more than 35 million with all the fees included. Sanchez will arrive in Barcelona this weekend and will undergo the medical test on Monday, according to the club who have finally made a big-name transfer this summer. Alexis has also become the first Chilean to sign Pep Guardiola’s side after spending five years with the Italian side for which he scored 13 goals in 21 games last term, something which brought him the MVP award in Serie A.
Foto Source: forzaitalianfootball.com
Read the Catalans statement: “Udinese and FC Barcelona have reached an agreement on the transfer of Alexis Sanchez. The cost of the deal is 26 million Euros with added variables of 11.5 million. The player is due in Barcelona this weekend. Medical tests and the signing of the contract, which is for five years, will take place on Monday.” The move has been finally set after long discussions and negotiations with the Udinese officials who let the player set new heights with the Spanish champions in the end. Sanchez is currently at home where he has just finished his Copa America adventure with the national team who packed from the competition early in the quarter finals, being ousted by Venezuela. The forwarder was name the best player of the match in two of the four games ha played in Argentine these past weeks.
The striker is at his fifth side, having also played for Cobreola, Colo-Colo, River Plate and Udinese, his most remarkable performances in South America including two Chilean Primera Division Aperturas, a Argentinean Primera Division Clausura as well as a Copa Sudamericana final reach with Colo-Colo. Apart from Sanchez’s move, coach Guardiola is now focusing on Cesc Fabregas’s transfer. The 24-year-old midfielder, who is till an Arsenal player, is likely to make the return to his former club, though the Gunners are still keen to keep him on the Emirates. The Catalans have increased their bid for the playmaker to a reported 40 million euro, but the English side barely accepted to open the talks on the transfer.
Fabregas expressed his desire to pack from London, but the French manager Arsene Wenger looks desperate to keep the cornerstone at Arsenal for at least one more season. Arsenal finished the season fourth and will have to play qualifying round to hope for an UEFA Champions League group stage berth. The lack of performances inclines the Spaniard to part with the Gunners whom he has joined back in 2003 and with won he won just one FA Cup and a Community Shield trophy. Neymar is also among Guardiola’s wishlist, though the Brazilian is unlikely to part with his current club Santos this summer as the 19-year-old is to spend at lest six more months with the Brazilians with whom he will compete for the FIFA Club World Cup competition where FC Barcelona are also expected to play.
The Catalans are vying rivals Real Madrid for the striker, who has scored 27 goals in 64 games with Santos with which he won two Campeonao Paulista, a Brazilian Cup and the Copa Libertadores. Winner of the South American Youth Championship with Brazil, Neymar said he prefers Real to Barcelona, but this didn’t make the European champions to give up their interest in him. Neymar’s agent declared that five giants are willing to pay the Brazilians at least $60 million, with Real, Chelsea, Barca and Manchester City among the main favorites.
