Why is Alexis Sanchez in such high demand?

ALEXIS SANCHEZ is a 22-year-old Chilean international winger who plays for Udinese.

He first caught the eye at last summer's World Cup with his trickery and pace as Chile reached the last 16.

Since then, he enjoyed his best-ever club campaign, scoring 12 goals in 31 games as his team clinched a Champions League place. 

Manchester United and neighbours City face stiff competition if they are to sign him, with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan all strongly interested. United are hot favourites.

Sanchez can play out wide or in the middle and has some impressive fans.  Former Italy chief Arrigo Sacchi called him a 'phenomenon' and added: "He would not only do a great job with Pep Guardiola at Barcelona but he would add value to any team."

What are his strengths?

THEY have been raving about his skills and dribbling ability all season in Italy - and Alex Ferguson has taken note.

Sanchez started life as a right winger but has been used anywhere along the front line for club and country.

He is not an out-and-out forward who could replace Carlos Tevez at City but he can play down the middle off the main striker - as a foil to United's Wayne Rooney, perhaps.

Sanchez is seen in the Cristiano Ronaldo mould.

He loves stepovers and knows where the goal is, scoring four past Palermo last season.

Is he really the new Ronaldo?

THERE have been comparisons with the world-record £80million man and, if you check him out on YouTube, it is easy to see why.

In Italy, they liken him to Lionel Messi with his lightning feet - but Sanchez is eager to play it down. His style and flair are much like that of Real Madrid's star man.  

He said: "I'd like to just be remembered as myself, without any comparisons.  "I'm still some way off achieving what Messi and Ronaldo have done."

If he could come close to matching Portuguese ace Ronaldo's explosive spell in England, he will not have done too badly.

Is he tough enough for the Prem?

MANCHESTER'S clubs know better than anyone how hit and miss South Americans can be when they come over to play in England.

Uruguayan Diego Forlan was a flop for United, while Carlos Tevez has shone for both the Red Devils and City.

But £32.5million Robinho - a one-time British record signing - was an Eastlands disaster.

Sanchez would prefer to stay in Italy or move to Barcelona but United look like they can change his mind.

At just 5ft 6in, he could expect a bit of rough treatment but, with his jet heels and tricky feet, defenders would have to catch him first. He is also strong with a low centre of gravity - all in all, a bit of a nightmare for full-backs.

Who is he likely to sign for?

UNITED seem to have got the edge over their rivals, despite Udinese owner Gino Pozzo insisting this week that City were the favourites to sign Sanchez.

Clearly, City's wealth pointed to them being most likely to get closest to the £35million asking price.  However, United's European pedigree seems to be a greater pull for the player.

Other genuine European superpowers are in the running and Sanchez has hinted he would prefer to stay in sunny climes.

But David Gill and Fergie are very persuasive.  Let's see how good Alexis Sanchez in the game was.

source: Thesun.co.uk, Youtube