WhatsApp Alexis? Bayern Munich star Arturo Vidal messaging Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez urging to him to join the German champions

Arturo Vidal has been sending WhatsApp messages to Alexis Sanchez urging him to quit Arsenal for Bayern Munich.

Sanchez has just over a year to run on his current contract and, as he is refusing to pen an extension, the Gunners could be forced to sell him this summer rather than risk losing him for nothing in 12 months.

Bayern Munich have been alerted to the forward's situation and reports have claimed they would offer £50m to land the 28-year-old.

And now the German champion's hopes of signing Sanchez have been given a boost after Vidal revealed he has been sending messages to his Chile team-mate telling him to join him at Bayern.

"I told him it was the opportunity for him to be in a big team," Vidal told reporters in Chile.

"If he wants to compare with the best, he has to go to the best team."