Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta has admitted that the Italian champions’ chances of signing Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez are slim, after the Premier League club says he is not for sale.

Marotta had confirmed interest in the Chile international – who helped his national team lift their second successive Copa America title – but revealed that Arsenal have no intentional of selling the forward.

The five time consecutive Serie A winners had placed a bid of £37 million – for it to me immediately turned down by Arsenal officials, according to El Mercurio.

“Sanchez is a great player, but Arsenal told us they have no intention of selling,” said Marotta. “Arsenal said that the Chilean attacker is non-transferable and that he is not on the market.”

Marotta also stated that Arsene Wenger had made it clear that their star man is not for sale, after joining from Barcelona in 2014, whilst still under contract at the Emirates for a further two seasons.

Alexis was at the heart of the celebrations. | Image credit: Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
Alexis was at the heart of the celebrations. | Image credit: Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images

The 27-year-old scored 13 goals in the Premier League last season, recording four assists as Arsenal finished runners-up behind Leicester City.

Injury fears eased

Sanchez suffered a nasty ankle injury in the Copa America final against Argentina, however the severe swelling and bruising has eased, after the Chilean posted images on his social media account.

Arsenal fans went into panic after seeing the size of his ankle, which had doubled in size – and whilst the star is expected to miss the opening game against Liverpool, he is expected to be back in training sooner than first anticipated.

Arsenal to begin pre-season training

The Gunners will get their pre-season training underway with a friendly fixture against RC Lens, before travelling to the United States for a host of friendlies.

Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny are all expected to miss Arsenal’s opening Premier League fixture  following their participation in the latter stages of the European Championship, hosted in France.

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