• Premier League

Udinese quash Chelsea's hopes of Sanchez deal

ESPNsoccernet staff
January 17, 2011
Alexis Sanchez has been linked to Chelsea in the Italian press © Getty Images
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Chelsea transfer target Alexis Sanchez will not be leaving Udinese in January, according to the Serie A side's coach Francesco Guidolin.

Sanchez, 22, has been linked with a £26 million move to Stamford Bridge in the Italian press and Inter Milan are also keen to acquire the highly-rated Chile winger.

However, Guidolin has been assured by the club's owners that Sanchez will not be leaving the Stadio Friuli in the immediate future.

"I know Udinese is a serious club,'' Guidolin told Italian TV station Rai Due. "The club have reiterated that Sanchez will remain at Udinese until the end of the season and I have no doubts on this matter.

"Of course, if a tempting offer would arrive it would be right for the club to evaluate it but I believe that Alexis can still grow from here on until the end of the season if he stayed with us.

"After that, he is destined, considering the quality he has shown for some time, to join a top club.''

Sanchez moved to Udinese in the summer of 2008 from River Plate and has scored five goals in 19 Serie A appearances this season. The South American star is under contract with the Zebrette until June 2014.

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