Antonio Conte wants Alexis Sanchez and feels he could greatly enhance Chelsea’s side for next season, The Independent has been told, as it is becoming increasingly likely that the Premier League champions will test Arsenal’s resolve over their star forward this summer and look to make what would be a sensational cross-London transfer.

The Emirates club are determined not to sell to a Premier League rival if Sanchez does try to push for a move this summer, although it remains to be seen how sustainable that stance is, given that the 28-year-old is out of contract in 2018. Even then, Arsenal’s preference is currently for the Chilean international to stay until his contract runs out, rather than let him go this summer.

It is also why this weekend’s final round of Premier League matches are all the more important for the north London club. Sanchez would actually be perfectly happy to stay at the Emirates, so long as they qualify for the Champions League next season. To do that, they need to beat Everton at home on Sunday, and hope Liverpool slip up at Anfield against Middlesbrough.

Arsenal summer transfer targets Show all 6 1 /6 Arsenal summer transfer targets Arsenal summer transfer targets Thomas Lemar (Monaco) Age: 21

Position: Left-wing

Likelihood: 5/10



After their eye-catching run to the semi-finals of the Champions League, Monaco are being gutted by European football’s elite. One of their many bright young things is Lemar, who would slot right into Alexis Sanchez’s left-sided role at Arsenal should the Chilean leave the Emirates this summer. The problem? Monaco are not selling, or at least not for Arsenal’s reported initial offer of £30.75m. Getty Arsenal summer transfer targets Kylian Mbappé (Monaco) Age: 18

Position: Left/right-wing

Likelihood: 3/10



Another Monaco player, Mbappé is one of the hottest properties in Europe and is perhaps a surprise inclusion on the list, with many expecting the teenager to move to Real Madrid, if anywhere, this summer. Arsène Wenger is said to have struck up something of an accord with the lightning quick winger’s family and harbours hopes of convincing Thierry Henry’s rightful heir that north London is the best place for his development. Getty Arsenal summer transfer targets Riyad Mahrez (Leicester) Age: 26

Position: Right-wing

Likelihood: 4/10



It is no secret that Wenger is a long-time admirer of Mahrez, whose stock has fallen somewhat following that remarkable title-winning campaign with Leicester City in 2015/16. While some of Europe’s top clubs were hovering around the Algerian this time last year, the coast is now relatively clear. The only worry is whether Mahrez can recreate the scintillating form he began to show two years ago. Getty Arsenal summer transfer targets Jean Michaël Seri (Nice) Age: 25

Position: Centre-midfield

Likelihood: 5/10



Seri was one of Nice’s stand-out players during their surprise challenge for the Ligue 1 title last term. If Santi Cazorla’s injury woes continue into the new season, the Cote d’Ivoire international could prove to be an ideal replacement, but his performances in the south of France have not gone unnoticed. Roma, Southampton, Tottenham and Leicester have all been keeping tabs on the midfielder. Getty Arsenal summer transfer targets Mario Lemina (Juventus) Age: 23

Position: Centre-midfield

Likelihood: 3/10



Gabon international Lemina is in search of regular playing time away from Turin, where he has struggled to establish himself in Max Allegri’s first-choice XI. “I want to play more,” he said in June. “I think it's right for me to play more, find a club capable of giving me more space. At 23 I want to show what I can do.” Could he find the minutes he needs in north London? At the moment, there seems to be little concrete about Arsenal’s reported ‘interest’. Getty Arsenal summer transfer targets Aleksandr Golovin (CSKA Moscow) Age: 21

Position: Centre-midfield

Likelihood: 2/10



Another midfielder whose name has been bandied around in the gossip columns this summer, but with few solid leads for transfer-hungry supporters to pursue. Any deal for the talented CSKA Moscow academy graduate would likely involve him being loaned back to his current club, if indeed any such deal is likely at all. Getty

Sanchez is said to greatly love London, and considers the city one of the best places he’s ever lived. He also enjoys the anonymity the size of the city allows, something he knows would not be the same in Manchester, Munich or Turin. That remains one reason why he would be more reluctant to move to one of City, Bayern or Juventus, and why Chelsea could present an even more attractive option if Arsenal do fail to make the Champions League.

Conte meanwhile this summer wants to sign both a striker as well as a forward who can play in the positions just behind the main striker, and a further attraction of Sanchez for the Chelsea boss is that the Chilean can play both roles. The energy in the 28-year-old’s game also completely fits with Conte’s approach.