Report: Alexis Sanchez Willing to Take Pay Cut in Effort to Join Real Madrid
Arsenal talisman Alexis Sánchez has Real Madrid in mind, with his contract expiring in the summer, according to a report in Spain.
As has been widely-reported, Sánchez's contract with the Gunners runs out in the summer and he will be free to speak to foreign clubs about a move once the January transfer window opens.
The Chilean international was linked with a move in the summer, most closely with Manchester City, but Arsenal were unable to find a suitable replacement and held firm to reject big-money offers.
Now however, despite continued links with former boss Pep Guardiola at City, Spanish newspaper outlet rumours Don Balon claim Sánchez is keen to join Real Madrid.
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In fact, Sanchez is so motivated (according to the report) that he would be willing to take a pay cut to fulfil his ambition.
While the report claims Sánchez could be of interest to Real manager Zinedine Zidane, the 28-year-old would more likely be used in a rotational squad role, who would be expected to come on from the bench for Madrid's already strong attacking options - notably Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
Sanchez's current side Arsenal look a shadow of their former selves and unable to muster a serious title challenge. Having lost two of their last four Premier League matches, the London side sit in sixth, twelve points off Pep Guardiola's team.
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Real Madrid themselves have also endured a subpar start to the season and recently lost to Arsenal's biggest rivals Spurs in the Champions League. Despite convincingly winning the Supercopa over the Catalans in August, they now sit eight points adrift of Barcelona.
Rather than allowing a key figure leave for free next summer, some reports claim that Arsenal would be willing to let their wantaway talisman go in the upcoming January transfer window, should a club meet their £30m asking price.
Already having lost to Manchester City and Liverpool this season, Arsenal now face an in-form Spurs side following the international break at the Emirates Stadium in this season's first North London derby.
