Real Madrid Transfer News: Alexis Sanchez Wanted, Latest Toni Kroos Rumours

Rumours linking Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez with a move to Real Madrid have emerged, and the Gunners are reportedly eyeing midfield kingpin Toni Kroos to travel in the other direction.

Per TransferMarketWeb (h/t Daily Star's Alex Harris), Los Blancos are “desperate” to sign Sanchez as a replacement for James Rodriguez and Isco, who have both been linked with moves away from the Spanish capital.

The 27-year-old forward has been a smash hit since moving to the Emirates Stadium from Barcelona, and his past with the Blaugrana wouldn't stand in the way of a transfer to Madrid, per Harris.

Sanchez's contract runs until 2018, and so far, he's yet to agree to a new deal with the Gunners. Per FourFourTwo, manager Arsene Wenger recently admitted the Gunners and Sanchez aren't close to an agreement.

The Chile international has struggled to find the back of the net in recent weeks, and via Arsenal's official Twitter account, he absolutely hates it when he goes through a scoring slump:

Injuries have hampered Sanchez in the 2015-16 campaign, but when he's been able to play, he's usually looked very good. In six UEFA Champions League starts, he has scored three goals, per WhoScored.com.

The 27-year-old has always done his best work as a striker in a system with two forwards, but similar to his time with Barcelona, Arsenal have mainly employed him as a winger. Los Blancos would likely use him out wide as well, or give him a free role that would allow him to dart all over the pitch.

He would present a clear upgrade over Isco and Rodriguez, who have both struggled tremendously this season and appear to have lost the faith of manager Zinedine Zidane. As shared by Sport Witness, the two have faced plenty of criticism as a result, and AS were particularly harsh after the 1-0 loss against Atletico Madrid:

But convincing Arsenal to sell Sanchez could prove tricky. The Chilean is by far the club's top attacking option and a fan-favourite, and so far, he's yet to give any indication he's looking for a move.

Arsenal have fallen behind in the Premier League title race in recent weeks, were just knocked out of the FA Cup and are likely to bow out of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday as well. If their struggles continue, fans will be anxious for some positive news, and selling Sanchez would be the exact opposite.

Wenger would have to be mad to ship out Sanchez at this time, so unless Los Blancos are willing to throw bags of cash at the Gunners, a transfer is unlikely.

But perhaps Arsenal's reported interest in Kroos could help. According to AS (h/t the Sun's Toby Gannon), the Gunners are among a list of clubs interested in his services, and the report claims Real have already identified Leicester City's N'Golo Kante as a replacement should he leave.

Henry Winter of the Times thinks Manchester City would also love to add the 26-year-old:

The former Bayern Munich star moved to Spain in 2014 and has been a regular starter for Los Blancos ever since. He was one of the club's top players last season, and while he hasn't reached the same level in the current campaign, he remains a pivotal player.

Per UEFA Euro 2016's official Twitter account, his distribution has been as solid as ever:

But Zidane has tried to use the German in a more defensive role, and his performances have suffered as a result. The presence of Luka Modric means Kroos can't play as a primary playmaker, and he simply isn't suited to be a holding midfielder. It's not a surprise Los Blancos have often looked stronger when Casemiro has been in the side.

Arsenal wouldn't ask him to do too much defensive work, as that's Francis Coquelin's job, and should Kroos and Real deem it best if both parties split up, a move wouldn't be a bad idea. But Kroos seems happy in the Spanish capital and is yet to give any hints he might be looking for a move, so right now, a deal appears unlikely. 

Arsenal hand trial to new ‘Alexis Sanchez’

ARSENAL have given a trial to Chilean teenager Marcelo Allende, who has been dubbed the new Alexis Sanchez.

Allende is regarded as one of Chile’s hottest prospects and is captain of the under-17’s side.

The Daily Mail say the 16-year-old spent two weeks with the Gunners after being given permission by his club Sports Santa Cruz.

Allende has drawn comparisons with Sanchez having been a product of Cobreloa’s youth ranks, which is the club where 27-year-old began his career.

Last month, Allende agent admitted he wanted talks with Arsenal.

He said: “I have a relationship with many European clubs including Arsenal and, another club, so if tomorrow there are options, we’ll talk.

“Arsenal is a great training club and we would be interested in working with them if they give us the possibility to.”

English Premier League giants Arsenal to play two pre-season games in Australia

FOUR decades after they last visited Sydney, English Premier League giants Arsenal are set to return to the Harbour City.

The Daily Telegraph understands the Gunners will play two matches at ANZ Stadium in 2017 as part of their preseason preparation, one against Sydney FC — who should be used to coming up against Premier League opposition by now after this year hosting both Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea — and the other against the Western Sydney Wanderers.

While the exact dates of the games are yet to be finalised, they are expected to take place in either late July or early August of 2017 and the tour will form part of Arsenal’s preseason training.

Arsenal's star-studded squad is set to travel Down Under.

It might be a bit of a wait for those eager Arsenal football fans in Australia — and indeed football fans in general — but due to the number of players involved in Euro 2016, trying to fit in a tour next year would have been too challenging.

Some of the most talented players in world football play for the Gunners, including Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who has been at the helm of the club for 19 years, is famously stubborn when it comes to his meticulous pre-season regimen and previous attempts that were made to entice him to make the trip Down Under all failed. But in recent years the team has added Asia and the US to its travel itinerary and now Wenger is said to be excited at the prospect of playing in Australia too.

Arsenal is one of the most successful clubs in English football, having won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and a record 12 FA Cups. The north London team is also one of the clubs in the running to win this season’s title. With an estimated worth of $1.3 billion, Arsenal are ranked the seventh richest club in world football.

The last time Arsenal were in Sydney was way back in 1977, where they played — and lost 3-1 — to an Australian team featuring John Kosmina and Peter Wilson and coached by Jim Shoulder.

The Arsenal tour is another major coup for ANZ Stadium and the NSW Government and adds to a growing list of football royalty that has played in Sydney recently. Manchester United, Juventus, Tottenham and Chelsea have all enjoyed successful trips, while a Liverpool Legends team will also play an exhibition match against an Australian XI at the venue in January.

Arsene Wenger is set to break with traditional and bring the Gunners Down Under for pre-season.

The Arsenal tour is expected to be officially announced at a press conference tomorrow.

Olympiakos beware! Arsene Wenger reveals secret weapon

With Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla out for the Arsenal’s biggest game of the season, Arsene Wenger will need to think outside the box.

But this is ridiculous!

Bored out of his mind during the pre-match press conference in Athens, he doodled what many believe to be a spaceship.

Wenger has always been known for bringing new and innovative ideas to the English game.

And leaving the planet if Arsenal fail to qualify from their Champions League group might just be his best yet.

Alexis Sanchez better than last season - Wenger

The French boss claims the former Barcelona forward's enthusiasm is 'contagious' and has hailed the Chilean's all-round contribution following his return to full fitness

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has taken the time to praise Alexis Sanchez and believes the Chile international is even better than in his first season at the club.

The 26-year-old joined Arsenal from Barcelona in July 2014 and netted 25 goals in all competitions last term.

Sanchez endured a slow start to this season but has since scored five times in his last two Premier League outings and Wenger has hailed his sublime form.

"He has had a bit of a difficult start because he came back late [from the Copa America] and you could see that," Wenger told the official Arsenal website.

"But now he is back to his level and even better than before.

"His overall game and finishing, contributing and assists is excellent. He works hard for the team and he finishes. His enthusiasm is contagious. 

"He always gives you hope that he is going to do something and he always gets defenders on the back foot, provokes and that is top class."

Alexis Sanchez to be face of Huawei in Chile

SANTIAGO, Oct. 15 Xinhua -- Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez has signed an agreement with the Chinese company Huawei to become the face of its campaigns in the South American country, local media reported on Thursday.

"I am happy to sign and hope that it will go on for a long time," said the player for English Premier League side Arsenal.

The agreement establishes that Sanchez will have a promotional role for the Chinese networking and telecommunications equipment company.

The player said that he was familiar with the P8 cellphone producer as the Chinese company is also one of Arsenal's sponsors.

"In England it's the same, Arsenal is sponsored by Huawei and there have been positive comments," said the soccer star.

"This union represents the essence of our company with the values that we share with a great sportsman like Alexis," said the Chinese company.

"As a company we look to position ourselves as world leaders by delivering quality products, services and solutions. Generating trust and dependability is also very important to the company and we see these aspects accurately depicted in the player," said Qin Hua, President of Huawei Chile.

Executives from the Chinese company handed over a Huawei device to Sanchez who took advantage of the opportunity to reveal his social media tendencies.

Stats reveal Arsenal star Mesut Ozil runs more than Alexis Sanchez

Mesut Ozil has been criticised for a lack of effort by the pundits such as Paul Scholes in recent months.

However, stats published by FIFA show that the 27-year-old is actually one of the most active footballers in the Premier League.

The EA Sports Player Performance Index states that Ozil covers a greater distance per 90 minutes played than a number of the Premier League’s biggest names.

Ozil covers more distance than Chelsea midfielders Ramires and Willian as well as Alexis Sanchez.

The Germany international joined Arsenal on a record £42.5 million transfer from Real Madrid in 2013 and Sanchez joined on a big money move from Barcelona the following season.

The Gunners are currently second in the league after beating Manchester United 3-0 in their last game at the Emirates. Arsenal are just two points off leaders Manchester City.

The North London based club take on Watford next away from home in the league.