Alexis Sanchez is staying at Arsenal! That, at least, is what Arsene Wenger believes after having what he describes as a series of “positive” text message exchanges with the Chilean forward over the summer, reports the Sun.

Wenger: Dear Alexis, I hope you are having a good break. Looking forward to seeing you for pre-season training. Warm regards, Arsene.

Sanchez: ok cool

Wenger: Dear Alexis, Thank you for your kind reply. Just so you know, it’s OK for you to start pre-season training later than the rest of the squad due to your exertions in the Confederations Cup. All my love, AW

Sanchez: cool

Wenger: Dear Alexis, Just to confirm, you will be returning for pre-season training, correct? Besos, A x

Wenger: Dear Alexis, Just checking that you received my last message? Maybe not, I guess you are away on holiday. I was just saying… Just to confirm, you will be returning for pre-season training, correct? Besos, A x

Sanchez: cool

Wenger: Dear Alexis. Thanks for getting back to me. Just to clarify, when you say cool that means you will definitely be at pre-season training, yes? Just say cool again and I will know. Many thanks, A

Wenger: PS sorry to disturb you on your holiday

Sanchez: That’s great thanks

Well that all sounds very positive…

Manchester United look set to miss out on midfield target Nemanja Matic, who the Guardian predicts will join Juventus or Internazionale after being given permission to sit out Chelsea’s pre-season tour of China and Singapore.

The Blues will reportedly “resist” all efforts by United to sign the Serbian because they are still upset about the Red Devils gazumping them for Romelu Lukaku. They really are such cry babies.

Matic has also been linked with Arsenal in a potential swap deal with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Sun), but that just sounds like something someone made up.

Pole position

The other player missing Chelsea’s pre-season tour is Diego Costa, who is set to move to Atletico Madrid and then get loaned out until January when the Spanish club’s transfer ban is lifted, says the Mirror.

The Spanish Brazilian will reportedly be replaced by Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who the Blues are in “pole position” to sign for £65m. And yes, Hot Football Transfer Gossip is aware that Liverpool were in “pole position” to sign the Gabonese goal machine yesterday. There must have been some kind of mix-up on the Sun’s football desk.

Excitingly, Aubameyang’s move to Stamford Bridge is likely to spark a “striker merry-go-round” as Dortmund move for Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud and, well, that’s it.

READ MORE: Exclusive – Southampton have NOT re-opened Liverpool talks over Van Dijk

READ MORE: Chelsea plot cut-price deal for £65m Alex Sandro

READ MORE: Gossip – Liverpool swoop for Aubameyang? De Gea to demand move?

Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel’s hopes of a dream move to Man Utd are “growing” amid reports of a fresh Real Madrid raid for David de Gea, says the Mirror.

However, Man Utd’s dream of keeping De Gea is also alive and well because the Red Devils apparently believe the Spanish giants “don’t have the funds” to sign him (ESPN). Because Real Madrid are famously frugal in the transfer market…

Elsewhere, Inter will ask to take United forward Anthony Martial on loan as part of the deal that takes Ivan Perisic to Old Trafford (Telegraph), Manchester City have agreed to sell Joe Hart to West Ham for £10m despite originally demanding £25m (Manchester Evening News) and Harry Redknapp has made a “sensational swoop” to bring former England left-back Ashley Cole to Birmingham City (Sun). Ah, it’s good to have you back Harry.

@darlingkevin