3 potential summer destinations for Arsenal's agitated Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez's contract standoff is quite literal. The latest reports reveal scenes of fury as Arsenal players and manager Arsene Wenger have balked at the Chilean's growing dissent on and off the pitch.
That Sanchez was dropped for a signature matchup against fellow Champions League chaser Liverpool only underlines the increasing possibility that he'll play elsewhere next season.
Related - Report: Wantaway Sanchez was dropped after training bust-up with teammates
Keeping in mind that his Gunners contract expires in June 2018, and that he reportedly wants a new deal worth £250,000 a week, here are three clubs that could offer Sanchez a summer escape:
Frontrunner: Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain has a knack for relieving clubs of their expensive problems, and then turning those players into veritable solutions.
The four-time defending Ligue 1 champion gave Angel Di Maria a chance to bounce back after a season to forget at Old Trafford, and took disgruntled winger Julian Draxler from Wolfsburg in January.
Both rediscovered themselves after switching to the French capital. They represent PSG's financial wherewithal and ambition, and a deep run in this season's Champions League could convince Sanchez of the side's qualifications.
Meeting Sanchez's reported £250,000-a-week contract demand would not be a problem - the Mirror's John Cross reports PSG is even willing to offer £300,000 - and Sanchez would have every opportunity to be a star among a constellation of them at the Parc des Princes.
He would also have a manager in Unai Emery who encourages attacking football, and a teammate in Edinson Cavani whom the Chilean could serve.
In the race: Juventus
If Sanchez returns to Italy - where he first turned heads as a showy youngster with Udinese - it would take Juventus to bring him back.
Beefing up their squad over the past few seasons, the Bianconeri now find themselves linked with some of the world's most talented players. Sanchez is no exception, and he would further validate the club's European objectives.
He would add to a distinct South American flavour on Juve's front line. With Sanchez playing alongside Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain, and Juan Cuadrado, there would be no end to the team's attacking potential.
The question, as always, is money. But just because Juventus is an Italian club from the penny-pinching Serie A doesn't mean it has limited funds.
The Old Lady is beginning to operate like one of the world's biggest clubs, increasing revenue year after year and pulling in millions of euros in gate receipts from its privately owned stadium. Revenue from the first half of the 2016-17 term is already up 54 percent from the previous bracket, and the outfit very much runs on a self-sustaining model.
As one of Italy's only flag bearers in the latter rounds of the Champions League, Juventus also reaps a big chunk of television money. And the likelihood of a departure - Mario Mandzukic to the Chinese Super League? - could create some room.
A deal for Sanchez can be done.
Outside chance: Another Premier League club
It's unlikely Arsenal would sell Sanchez to a direct Premier League rival - there is a big enough market outside England for a player of his calibre.
But there's no saying Manchester City or Chelsea won't break the bank to land a world-class forward who can single-handedly make the difference.
The British press have already mocked up a potential move to Pep Guardiola's City. The Spaniard, after all, was the one who brought Sanchez to Barcelona in 2011, and then managed him there for a year before taking a sabbatical.
If Sergio Aguero does leave in the summer, perhaps Guardiola could make a phone call to his former pupil.
There is also Chelsea, whose manager Antonio Conte loves players like Sanchez. Besides his goals and assists, the 28-year-old's defining characteristic is his work rate, and that is something Conte covets.