Antonio Conte refuses to deny Chelsea interest in Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez

Hot property: Chelsea were this week linked with a move for Sanchez as his Arsenal contract saga rumbles on
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Simon Johnson9 December 2016

Antonio Conte today refused to deny that Chelsea are interested in signing Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez.

Chelsea have been linked with a move for the Chile international, who has just 18 months left on his contract at Arsenal.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has admitted he can give no assurances that Sanchez will end up agreeing fresh terms before his current deal runs out.

Sanchez is currently tied with Chelsea striker Diego Costa at the top of the goal-scoring charts with 11 strikes each.

When asked whether Chelsea are monitoring the situation, Conte said: “I don't think it's right to talk about other players of other teams. It's not right.

“But now we are totally focused on the next game against West Bromwich. January or next season are very far (away) for us, but it's not right to talk about the players of other teams. It's a lack of respect for their players, their clubs, my team and my club.”

Speaking about the prospect of buying anyone next month, he added: “As I said before, now it's important to be focused on the next game against West Brom.

“Then we'll have four games before January. It's important to be focused on this game. January is far away for me.

The Arsenal players with expiring contracts

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“Now I'm pleased, very glad, with this squad and to work with these players. For this reason, I repeat: stay concentrated on this game, go game by game, and then we'll see.”

Juventus legend Andrea Pirlo was spotted at the club’s training ground today but Conte made it clear that the midfielder won’t be leaving MLS side New York City for a role at Stamford Bridge.

He explained: “I'm pleased for this visit because Andrea was my player in Juventus for three years and we won together. I remember him as a great player.

“He played great football with Juventus in these three years. I'm very happy for his visit with his son here.

“We have a good relationship and I'm pleased for this. No (don't read anything into it). Andrea came here only to visit. He has another year of contract in America, and he's playing and enjoying his football in America.”

Meanwhile, Conte has admitted for the first time that midfielder Mikel John Obi is unlikely to get a new deal.

Standard Sport revealed last month that the Nigeria international has already been told that his time at the club will end after 11 years in 2017.

The 29-year-old has not been named in a matchday squad all season, but Conte claims he may not be transferred next month.

This paper revealed earlier this week that he is already considering a move to Shanghai SIPG in the new year.

Conte said: “The situation with Obi Mikel is simple: he's in the squad. He stays with us. We know that, at the end of the season, probably his contract will expire.

“But I don't know what happens now. He's a player who is part of this squad, and every single game I take my decision about him.”

“Would I like him to get a new contract? I don't think this is the place to talk about this. If I have to talk about the contracts of my players, I prefer to do it in the right place with my club.”

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