Sanchez deal delights Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger last night hailed Alexis Sanchez as "a fantastic footballer" after Chile star agreed to join the Gunners from Barcelona on a long-term contract for a fee in the region of £35 million.

The 25-year-old completed his medical in London yesterday, and will join up with his new team-mates at the end of July after spending some time on holiday after the World Cup.

Arsenal beat off competition from Liverpool and Juventus for Sanchez and his signing represents something of a personal coup for Wenger, who is understood to have spoken to the player face to face while working for French television at the World Cup in Brazil, convincing him north London was the right place to further his career.