Arsenal may be set for a summer battle to keep Alexis Sanchez, with the Chilean’s former club’s new transfer guru Ariedo Braida having opened the door for a stunning move to re-sign him.

The versatile attacker arrived at the Emirates Stadium from the Nou Camp last year in a deal worth in excess of £30m on the back of an impressive season and terrific World Cup.

Although a talented player, he made way for the signing of Luis Suarez, who was Barca’s marquee man – despite his biting shame in Brazil – in a £75m switch from Liverpool.

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Sanchez has since thrived in the Premier League, becoming, arguably, Arsenal’s key man, notching 16 goals in all competitions.

Braida – who is replacing the departed Andoni Zubizarreta at Barca as sporting director – tried to sign the 26-year-old while at AC Milan and has confessed that he’s still a big fan of the player, hinting that a shock move is not out of the question:

"Alexis Sanchez is a great player, one of the world's best in his position. I know him a lot. He has an exquisite technique.” He is quoted by the Daily Star.

"Alexis Sanchez could be one of my players and who knows may be in the future can be, you never know...

"Five years ago, when the Chilean played at Udinese and started to be a star we had conversations to bring him to Milan but we couldn't get it.

"I do not know [why he was sold] because I was not at the club at that time and I can not put myself in that assumption.

"I will just start my job [for Barcelona] this week. I do not what reasons led the club to let him go but I can say Sanchez now is one the best players in the Premier League and is now on a top level in the world."

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