Spanish giants begin talks with Alexis Sanchez

Real Madrid are said to have begun talks with Alexis Sanchez over a potential move to the Bernabeu in the New Year. The Chile international has no intention to extend his Arsenal contract beyond June 2018, and he is likely to leave the club between January and the end of the season.

According to Don Balon, Los Blancos president Florentino Perez has already kicked off negotiations with the player's representative and is confident of sealing a cut-price deal for his services in January.

Real boss Zinedine Zidane has regularly backed Karim Benzema for the centre-forward role, and it is suggested that Sanchez would want assurances of a regular starting spot before considering a move to Madrid.

Sanchez has also been linked with a potential reunion with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, but he is likely to have a more realistic chance of lifting the Champions League with Real Madrid, who are looking to lift the European crown for the third straight season.