Arsene Wenger labels Alexis Sanchez transfer saga 'suicide' but insists Arsenal star man will stay this season

With only one year remaining on his current deal the Gunners risk losing their star man for nothing in a year's time

Alexis Sanchez looks set to stay at Arsenal this summer (Arsenal FC)

Arsene Wenger has once again insisted that Alexis Sanchez will not leave Arsenal this summer.

The Chilean is anxious to leave the club with a reunion with former boss Pep Guardiola and Manchester City his preferred choice while big spending Paris Saint-Germain are another option and are long-term admirers.

With only one year remaining on his current deal the Gunners risk losing their star man for nothing in a year's time with fresh terms in the region of £300,000-per-week swiftly rejected.

But Wenger, as he has done all summer, remains adamant Sanchez will not be sold and reiterated his desire to keep the player beyond this season.

“(He is) good, you can see it in training. He needs to work on his fitness but he is sharp and looks like he has never been away. The frame of mind of a footballer is quite easy - once you go out into the game, you focus on that."

"He is focused. My decision is clear, he will stay. He will accept that. I think he will be here for this season. If we manage to do it for more seasons we will.”

When pushed for more Wenger added: "It is not information anymore, it is suicide."

As well as City PSG are thought to be Sanchez's next most likely destination, with the French club having been linked with the forward since Arsenal's downturn in fortunes at the start of the year.

Sanchez returned to training earlier this week (Arsenal FC)

That situation wasn't helped on Monday as Sanchez's lawyer revealed the player's journey back from Santiago to London would include a stopover in Paris.

However, as The Independent reported when Sanchez first joined Arsenal in 2014, the Chilean has travelled to the French capital in the past in order to renew his British work permit.

While Arsenal are yet to confirm that explanation, it would appear more likely than any clandestine meeting with the PSG hierarchy, particularly as the Gunners have not yet given their player permission to speak to other clubs and are unlikely to.