Arsenal expected to sign Alexis Sanchez 'within the next week'

Arsenal are in advanced talks with Alexis Sanchez after reportedly agreeing a £32million fee with La Liga giants Barcelona.

The Gunners are believed to have agreed a deal to bring highly-rated forward Sanchez to the Emirates after several weeks of negotiations with Luis Enrique’s side.

After making an initial bid of £22m for the former Udinese man, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger improved the offer to around £32m – a figure that Barcelona have now accepted.

French tactician Wenger held secret talks with Sanchez’s agent in Brazil last weekend, where he is currently fulfilling his commentary duties for French TV station TF1.

Wenger made enquiries for Sanchez almost a month before the World Cup following reports that the Chilean would be open to moving away from the Nou Camp this summer.

Respected Spanish journalist Kike Marin also tweeted last week that Sanchez “wants to go to Arsenal” and that a transfer to north London “is possible”.

Sanchez was one of the standout players in his national side in the World Cup as Chile crashed out of the tournament after their defeat to Brazil on penalties.

25-year-old Sanchez is keen on making a move to London and Arsenal’s Spanish-speaking contingent of Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta, Nacho Monreal and Joel Campbell is expected to play a part in his final decision.

The ex-River Plate starlet scored 19 goals and racked up 10 assists for Barcelona last season, but is unhappy at playing a second-fiddle role to star man Lionel Messi and remains keen on a new challenge away from Spain.