The Alexis Sanchez contract-saga has been a huge cloud over Arsenal's season right from the get-go.

Sanchez's current deal expires at the end of the season, and given his constant frustration at the team's performances both this term and last make it pretty clear that he won't be signing a new one.

Arsenal's other key player Mesut Ozil is in exactly the same boat, though there is more hope that he will remain at the Emirates than the Chilean.

The former Barcelona man has just five Premier League goals to his name this season, with only one in the last five matches too, as Arsenal face another season out of the top four at this rate.

Sanchez is free to discuss terms on a pre-contract transfer with foreign clubs from next Monday, and the Gunners could very well lose him without receiving a penny.

However, in one aspect Arsenal are lucky that the 29-year-old's preferred destination is actually to an English side, so they can command a fee to make sure they recoup some money for him.

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City were very keen on signing him in the summer, and Arsenal turned down a £60m bid from the Etihad club towards the end of the transfer window.

Sanchez wants to be reunited with his former boss Guardiola, and Arsene Wenger is beginning to accept that they must sell last season's top scorer.

The major factor behind their change of heart, having previously stated Sanchez would remain at the club full stop, is that the players and staff at the Emirates are growing concerned about his commitment.

According to the Daily Mail, members of the backroom staff have noticed a drop in his effort in training and matches, while the players are unhappy with Sanchez's behaviour and demeanour.

They believe that he should've been sold in the summer, and it is going to prove a costly move, with Arsenal now willing to accept just over half of what they turned down at £35m.

Paris Saint-Germain are another team who are interested in signing Sanchez, and Arsenal would certainly prefer to deal with the French club than sell to a rival.

The Gunners are interested in signing Julian Draxler as a replacement, so he could be used as a make-weight in any potential transfer.