Alexis Sanchez completes move back to former club | OneFootball

Alexis Sanchez has returned to former club Udinese, signing a two-year deal with the Serie A side following his departure from Inter Milan.

Alexis Sanchez signs for Udinese (Photo via Udinese.it)

Udinese confirmed this weekend that they’ve completed the signing of former Gunner Alexis Sanchez, with the forward leaving Inter Milan as a free agent this summer.

Sanchez has signed a two-year contract to return to the club after 13 years away.

Gianluca Di Marzio had reported earlier this week that Sanchez was close to the Udinese move, after he called them on Monday morning to let them know he wants to play for them, and he’s effectively closed the deal on his own.

MADRID, SPAIN: Alexis Sanchez of FC Internazionale reacts after getting his penalty saved by Jan Oblak of Atletico Madrid (Unseen) in the penalty shoot out on March 13, 2024. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Sanchez had also previously been linked with a move back to Marseille, but that deal was always going to be difficult financially.

The Chilean had initially left Marseille for Inter Milan due to the fact the club couldn’t afford both his and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s wages.

Aubameyang has since left, but he’s being replaced by a number of new signings, including potentially Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah. Marseille don’t have much more financial flexibility to add Sanchez to the wage bill than they did last year.

Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah controls the ball during the pre-season club friendly football match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 31, 2024. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Sanchez played for Udinese early on in his career, spending three seasons with the club between 2008 and 2011. He scored 21 goals and assisted 20 in 112 games for them.

After that, the forward spent three-and-a-half seasons with Arsenal, winning two FA Cups before leaving for a trophyless stretch with Manchester United.

Most recently in 2023/24, Sanchez scored four goals and assisted five in 33 games for Inter Milan.