The Alexis Sanchez saga twisted and turned until it ultimately lost itself in the mess that is Arsenal Football Club in the transfer market.
The Chilean was on the brink of making the switch to Manchester City, where he would reunite with Pep Guardiola, play wonderful football and compete for major honours. All that needed to happen was Arsenal signing a replacement and thered be nothing in his way.
Whether it was a token effort or a genuine one, Arsenal tried to sign Monacos Thomas Lemar. A 92m offer was made. The bid was accepted. Then, when things seemed to be going along nicely, the deal came to an abrupt end. Arsenal didnt have enough time to complete the deal. Other reports suggested Lemar didnt want to join Arsenal. With just a couple of hours left in the window, Lemar wasnt joining Arsenal and, as a result, Alexis wasnt joining City.
The player will have been left understandably furious by the developments. Likewise, the fans of both clubs would be bemused and would like to know just who was responsible for the whole mess.
Its tempting to say this is entirely down to Arsenals own incompetence. Arsenal made the late decision to sell Alexis and gave themselves little time to find a replacement. With such limited time, it ended up being a case of Lemar or nothing. This was made all the more risky by Arsenal not even knowing if Lemar wanted to join them or not.
Arsenal may have wanted Alexis to stay but they absolutely must have been aware of the players desire to leave. A sensible club would scout out possibly replacements just in case, and ensure some groundwork was laid to make a quick signing. Arsenal didnt have to wait until the last minute to make that Lemar bid. Nor did they have to ignore the likes of Riyad Mahrez or Julian Draxler the whole time. Had the Lemar bid failed, say, three weeks ago, Arsenal would have had enough time to pursue other options.
On the other hand, Arsenal will rightfully point out that Citys plot to leave a bid right until the end of the window did them no favours. City would have known that Arsenal would want to sign a replacement its a fairly common practice in the transfer window yet gave Arsenal little time in which to do it. Had they made a serious offer last month, they would have gotten their man.
Theres another layer to all this: the year remaining on Alexis contract.
Alexis isnt a priority signing for City, which might explain why they left it so late. They knew full well that if they couldnt sign Alexis this summer, they could sign him for free next year. For them, this could have been a case of putting Arsenal in the most difficult position possible. Either they signed the player this window, leaving Arsenal little time to find a replacement, or they sign him for free next summer without giving Arsenal any money to buy a replacement with.
Its all conjecture, of course, but Arsenal are undoubtedly in a more awkward place than City are. Arsenal cannot complain if Alexis turns out to be disruptive, because it was their reluctance to sell that dragged the saga out for so long. We had our chance to get rid of the guy and didnt take it.
Ultimately, it may all work out for the best. Still, theres no denying that this whole could have been resolved much sooner and much more efficiently than it has been.
Read more:
Arsenal or Manchester City: Who is to blame over the Alexis debacle? - Daily Cannon (satire) (blog)
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in Carson City, NV - USA TODAY - March 31st, 2024 [March 31st, 2024]
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in Orchards, WA - USA TODAY - March 31st, 2024 [March 31st, 2024]
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in Cloverleaf, TX - USA TODAY - March 31st, 2024 [March 31st, 2024]
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in Fernley, NV - USA TODAY - March 31st, 2024 [March 31st, 2024]
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in Tewksbury, MA - USA TODAY - March 31st, 2024 [March 31st, 2024]
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in West Memphis, AR - USA TODAY - March 31st, 2024 [March 31st, 2024]
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in Goshen, IN - USA TODAY - March 31st, 2024 [March 31st, 2024]
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in Suwanee, GA - USA TODAY - March 31st, 2024 [March 31st, 2024]
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in Calabasas, CA - USA TODAY - March 31st, 2024 [March 31st, 2024]
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in White Bear Lake, MN - USA TODAY - March 31st, 2024 [March 31st, 2024]
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in Apache Junction, AZ - USA TODAY - March 31st, 2024 [March 31st, 2024]
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in Owings Mills, MD - USA TODAY - March 31st, 2024 [March 31st, 2024]
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in Elyria, OH - USA TODAY - March 31st, 2024 [March 31st, 2024]
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in New Smyrna Beach, FL - USA TODAY - March 31st, 2024 [March 31st, 2024]
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in Pittsford, NY - USA TODAY - March 31st, 2024 [March 31st, 2024]
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in Sandusky, OH - USA TODAY - March 31st, 2024 [March 31st, 2024]
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in Land O' Lakes, FL - USA TODAY - March 31st, 2024 [March 31st, 2024]
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in Muskegon, MI - USA TODAY - March 31st, 2024 [March 31st, 2024]
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in Sapulpa, OK - USA TODAY - March 31st, 2024 [March 31st, 2024]
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in Fruit Cove, FL - USA TODAY - March 31st, 2024 [March 31st, 2024]
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in West Palm Beach, FL - USA TODAY - March 23rd, 2024 [March 23rd, 2024]
- 10 Best Window Replacement Companies in Buffalo, NY - USA TODAY - March 23rd, 2024 [March 23rd, 2024]
- How to Recognize if It's Time to Replace Windows - Behind The Hedges - January 13th, 2024 [January 13th, 2024]
- Window repair company accused of scamming thousands of dollars from Shelby County residents - Shelby County ... - Shelby County Reporter - January 13th, 2024 [January 13th, 2024]
- New controversy at Notre Dame over stained glass replacement - Aleteia - January 13th, 2024 [January 13th, 2024]
- Sash Window Repair: Your Step-By-Step DIY Guide - Better Homes and Gardens - January 13th, 2024 [January 13th, 2024]
- Pro vs DIY Window Replacement: Which Is Better for Your Home? - FINE Homes and Living - January 5th, 2024 [January 5th, 2024]
- How to replace your broken window - Otago Daily Times - January 5th, 2024 [January 5th, 2024]
- Shop New Windows & Doors | Pella of Naperville - March 24th, 2023 [March 24th, 2023]
- How Much Does Window Glass Replacement Cost? - Bob Vila - November 1st, 2022 [November 1st, 2022]
- Window Replacement - Home Window Replacement & Installation - Window Nation - September 30th, 2022 [September 30th, 2022]
- Best Replacement Window Companies Of September 2022 - September 30th, 2022 [September 30th, 2022]
- Three Brothers LLC Boise Announces That They Are Offering Peerless Local Window Installation Services - Digital Journal - September 30th, 2022 [September 30th, 2022]
- Kingston compensation for woman who waited more than two months for window repair - Surrey Comet - September 30th, 2022 [September 30th, 2022]
- What to know as Manitowoc County mulls property tax hike to help fund courthouse renovations expected to exceed $25M - Herald Times Reporter - September 30th, 2022 [September 30th, 2022]
- LG wants to replace Metro and other subway train windows with transparent OLED displays - Firstpost - September 30th, 2022 [September 30th, 2022]
- New Apodaca art installation showcases the talents of renowned glass artists - Western Carolina University News - September 30th, 2022 [September 30th, 2022]
- Jesus joins the Bristol Bus Boycott to replace Colston stained glass window - Bristol Live - September 30th, 2022 [September 30th, 2022]
- 5 Things to Know About Owning a Car in This Economy - theSkimm - September 30th, 2022 [September 30th, 2022]
- Amazon warehouse robots are getting closer to replacing human hands - Vox.com - September 30th, 2022 [September 30th, 2022]
- Avoid auto-installation of Windows Home when installing Windows - Hindu Wire - September 30th, 2022 [September 30th, 2022]
- Spotlight:Six factors that impact the cost of your home window replacement project - CambridgeToday - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- How to Install a Window AC Unit - CNET - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Vandal smashes windows at three Vancouver businesses - The Columbian - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Report: Windows 11 22H2 update will be released on September 20 - Ars Technica - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Why the Bucs should replace Tom Brady with Lamar Jackson in 2023 - Bucs Wire - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Three more players expected to leave Brighton before the end of the summer transfer window - SussexWorld - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Hull firm's pride as installation rating puts it in top bracket for UK window work - Business Live - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Findochty windows: Councillors allow uPVC in conservation area - The Press & Journal - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Analysing all the strikers linked to Man Utd to replace Ronaldo: Morata, Pulisic, Felix, Gakpo and more under the microscope - Goal.com - August 20th, 2022 [August 20th, 2022]
- Fix Windows 11/10 Installation error 0x800F0955 - 0x20003 - TWCN Tech News - January 12th, 2022 [January 12th, 2022]
- Window and insulation rebates doubled in Clark County - The Reflector - January 12th, 2022 [January 12th, 2022]
- Narrative installation 'Lost in the Woods' taps into art, writing students' talents - Fredonia.edu - January 12th, 2022 [January 12th, 2022]
- Groove Music player updated and replaced with new Windows 11 Media Player for some - OnMSFT.com - January 12th, 2022 [January 12th, 2022]
- City, Hope Home Repair to part ways The Kansan - Newton Kansan - January 12th, 2022 [January 12th, 2022]
- Five players Sheffield Wednesday could sign in January transfer window to replace Theo Corbeanu - Yorkshire Live - January 12th, 2022 [January 12th, 2022]
- These two Bergen towns will hold special elections on school repairs costing over $20M - NorthJersey.com - January 12th, 2022 [January 12th, 2022]
- Automotive Replacement Glass Windshields Market to Witness Robust Expansion by 2029 | AGC Automotive Replacement Glass, Glass Doctor, Magna ... - January 12th, 2022 [January 12th, 2022]
- Army finally picks an optic for Next Generation Squad Weapon - DefenseNews.com - January 12th, 2022 [January 12th, 2022]
- Window Woman to appear on 'This Old House' - The Daily News of Newburyport - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- Comment: Another year goes by and Apple still hasnt replaced iTunes on Windows with something better - 9to5Mac - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- Knocking over a fan's beer and replacing it has become the hottest trend in pro sports - GolfDigest.com - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- What the Army's Bradley replacement will look like may be decided in 2022 - ArmyTimes.com - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- Microsoft's wins, fails, and WTF moments of 2021 - PCWorld - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- Spurs can finally replace Toby with 90k-p/w "beast" who has "always been the leader" - opinion - MSN UK - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- The biggest Arizona headlines of 2021, from recycling plant fire to COVID-19 to a partisan election review - The Arizona Republic - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- Two And A Half Suggestions For A Manchin-Approved Build Back Better/Social Insurance Program - Forbes - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- Rdiger's hopes for Real Madrid move placed on the back burner - AS English - December 28th, 2021 [December 28th, 2021]
- Replacement Glass Shortage Adding To Woes Of San Francisco Car Break-Ins Victims - CBS San Francisco - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Ask the Remodeler: Replace or refurbish? A look at old windows - The Boston Globe - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Thats The Wijnaldum Replacement Sorted - Pundit On Liverpool Target Youri Tielemans - Sports Illustrated - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Election Results 2021: Voters replace Westminster Mayor, City Council - The Westminster Window - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- State Board of Regents approves additional $770000 for UI Stead Family Children's Hospital windows - UI The Daily Iowan - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Missing person posters replaced with pink balloons in celebration of Cleo Smiths return - WAtoday - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Liverpool have perfect 18m Roberto Firmino replacement ahead of January transfer window - Liverpool.com - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Racing Optics Offers Dealers and Installers Its WINDSHIELD DEFENSE KIT, Which Includes Its Multi-Layer Windshield Film System Which Provides Three... - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Skyscraper Window Washing Robots Are Here to Take Over One of Our Most Terrifying Jobs - Gizmodo - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- 11 Worst Features of Windows 11 and How to Fix Them - Tom's Hardware - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Figge in Davenport makes repairs to its windows and to bridge community gaps - WHBF - OurQuadCities.com - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]
- Bacardi Cuts Plastic in Its Gift Packs By 50% - Business Wire - November 4th, 2021 [November 4th, 2021]