Arsene Wenger insists 'tapped up' Alexis Sanchez staying at Arsenal

With Paris St-Germain ready to make a renewed attempt to sign the Chile international this week, Wenger is defiant that Arsenal are under no financial pressure to sell, even though it appears highly unlikely Sanchez will sign a new contract at the Emirates.

Manchester City are also weighing up a bid for the 28-year-old but Wenger is refusing to back down from his belief that Sanchez (left) will stay.

"My mind has been made up for a while now. I think I've made it clear a few times that this is my stance (he will stay at Arsenal)," said Wenger.

"Alexis has got one year to go on his contract and we have no need to make money. He will be part of the team next season. We want to keep our best players. Has he asked to leave? No."

Sanchez will return to training next Monday, having been given time off following his participation in the Confederations Cup.

But Wenger does fear interest from other clubs may have turned his star man's head, with reports last week suggesting that Sanchez was spotted in Paris with a PSG official.

Monaco have threatened to report four clubs to FIFA, including PSG and Manchester City, for unsettling striker Kylian Mbappe but Wenger suspects clubs will always escape punishment for unauthorised approaches.

When asked if he suspected his players had been tapped up recently, he smiled and said: "What do you think?

"If you have top players you cannot stop it from happening. It's frustrating but you've got to fight against it.

"Honestly, it is a problem but how can you check when an agent meets a director from another club or which player speaks to who?

"We are respectful with the clubs. We ask them what they want to do and if they don't want to sell then we don't insist. For some, that is where the difference is."

Sanchez might be staying but Crystal Palace still want Arsenal defender Calum Chambers after their £16m (€18m) bid was rejected and they will make an improved offer. (© Daily Telegraph, London)