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Alexis Sanchez is Chelsea's priority transfer target this summer, according to reports.

Antonio Conte is said to have discussed the possibility of bringing the Chilean to west London with the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge.

It's a move that would rock Arsenal to the core. Just imagine the reaction of the Gooners who are already protesting against Arsene Wenger and the owner Stan Kroenke.

Just imagine it for a second. It would put the final nail in the coffin of Wenger’s Arsenal career and Chelsea fans would relish such a scenario.

A summer move for Sanchez would be a huge statement of intent from the Blues ahead of next season - and would leave the Blues’ fellow title competitors in the dust.

Sanchez is the real deal; full of pace, power and skill, but also desperate to be a winner and he will work harder than anyone else to be one.

Cracks for the 28-year-old at Arsenal have been showing for a while. There was a heated argument with Aaron Ramsey and the look of absolute disgust as Olivier Giroud celebrated when equalising against Bournemouth in January - that was followed up by him storming off during the win at Swansea.

But the overriding factor remains that the Chilean is yet to have signed his new deal at the club, with his contract running out in 16 months' time.

That speaks volumes about what he thinks is happening at the Gunners and the potential future of Wenger as well.

Mesut Ozil has yet to commit also, which begs the question of whether the club can fulfil either players’ lofty expectations or hopes.

But Chelsea can and would welcome Sanchez with open arms with the promise of regularly competing for the prizes he craves.

The Blues have previous in taking an Arsenal star, with Ashley Cole snared from the Emirates as William Gallas went in the opposite direction.

Stealing Sanchez would eclipse even the uproar in North London that Cole's departure created - and what a signal it could be to the rest of the league.

It’s true that Sanchez could make himself a legend at Arsenal, but does he really think the rest of the side can help him to achieve that?

The next question is where the Chilean would fit into Conte’s system if the Blues were to pull off a deal.

Sanchez's form at the tip of the Arsenal attack this season indicates that he could provide an option as a replacement for Costa, should he depart this summer.

The Chilean's other favoured position is on the left flank, where he is able to cut in and either shoot or find a probing pass. However, Chelsea have their own one of those already in the name of Eden Hazard.

The only other option would be to field him on the right, and just imagine that for a second. Hazard, Costa and Sanchez wreaking havoc against defences up and down the country while Cesc Fabregas only has to decide which one he has to pass to.

It may all be a fantasy to Blues fans at the moment, but if Conte was to lose Costa this summer then Sanchez would be an obvious candidate to revamp the Chelsea attack.

With Sanchez in their ranks, the 2017/18 title race may become a similar procession for Conte and his side.