Wednesday 7 December 2016 18:44, UK
Charlie Nicholas has urged Alexis Sanchez to sign a new Arsenal deal, declaring the Gunners "one of the finest clubs he could wish to play for".
The Gunners are said to be in contract renewal negotiations with the Chilean but reports in the British media have claimed a Chinese Super League club is ready to offer him a incredible £400,000-a-week deal.
Sanchez stole the show with a hat-trick against West Ham on Saturday evening - and former Arsenal forward Nicholas hopes his ambition will see him stay at the Emirates.
"Sanchez has won everything at Barcelona, he's won the Copa America with Chile, what else does he need? Do you need love, do you need care, do you need a birthday cake with candles on it?" the Sky Sports pundit told Premier League Daily.
"I think the love of the game that he shows, the desire to still be a top player, tells me he wants to be in a top league with a top team. He's been at Barcelona, where else can he go? I think he's at one of the finest clubs he could ever wish to be.
"If he's happy, sign the deal. He'll get another wage top-up. I think when Cesc Fabregas was captain, he got another £5m a year or so from sponsorship so there are ways to do different pieces of business without always making it look like it's just a top-up in wages.
"Arsenal have got to make a point to say we don't need to spend £50m or £60m the way the other clubs are. Maybe (spending big) once a season but let's focus on keeping these top players."
Fellow guest Ray Wilkins echoed Nicholas' sentiments on the Chile star, and compared a potential Sanchez move with former Chelsea midfielder Ramires leaving the club in January 2016 in a lucrative switch to CSL side Jiangsu Suning.
"He's probably earning enough now for his life. He's not going to be able to spend all the money he has earned already one would have thought," the former Blues coach said of the Arsenal man.
"He's been at Barcelona, he's been at Arsenal for the last two or three years therefore he has been well paid in that period. There's no question about it, he is an outstanding footballer.
"At Chelsea, we lost Ramires to China at 28 years of age. The money was so important for him. You have to remember, these South American guys, where they come from is an impoverished background and they think they have to accumulate as much as they possibly can by the time their career is over.
"I thought Ramires leaving was a massive mistake and I think for Sanchez to go there would be a massive mistake. He can earn enough at Arsenal and I sincerely hope he stays in the Premier League because he is a joy to watch."
