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Chelsea will move for Alexis Sanchez if he does not resolve his contract stand-off with Arsenal .

The resurgent league leaders are huge admirers of the 27-year-old Chilean, who is currently joint-top scorer in the Premier League — with their own star striker Diego Costa — on 11 goals.

Antonio Conte's Blues are among a number of big clubs watching developments involving Sanchez closely.

They have so far made no approaches, but they will register their interest if the Arsenal forward makes it clear he will not sign a new deal.

Chelsea are already looking to tie Costa down to an improved contract at Stamford Bridge in the New Year and an audacious move for Sanchez next summer could give them one of the best forward lines in Europe.

(Image: AFP/Getty) (Image: Getty)

Sanchez, arguably Arsenal’s best player, will have just a year left on his £130,000-a-week deal at the end of the season.

As we revealed yesterday , his advisers are using offers of around £400,000-a-week from the big-spending Chinese Super League as leverage to seek such a deal in Europe.

Fellow Gunners ace Mesut Ozil, currently on £140,000-a-week, is seeking a similar package.

(Image: Getty)

It is understood keeping Sanchez is the greater priority.

The South American’s representatives have so far claimed their terms are non-negotiable, with their client some way behind Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero and Manchester United’s Paul Pogba in the pay stakes.

There have even been suggestions that he could choose to run his contract down if his demands are not met.

BT Sport's Rio Ferdinand says Arsenal CANNOT lose Sanchez and Ozil:

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His camp have been emboldened by interest from China, where clubs have tempted the likes of Zenit St Petersburg striker Hulk, former Liverpool target Alex Teixeira , ex-Chelsea midfielder Ramires and Atletico Madrid frontman Jackson Martinez away from Europe.

Sanchez, who turns 28 later this month, hit a brilliant hat-trick against West Ham last Saturday.

He has been so impressive since being switched into the centre-forward position this season that Arsenal fans prefer him there to former first-choice Olivier Giroud.