Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is enthusiastic about the possible arrival of winger Alexis Sanchez from Udinese and believes he would add further quality to the La Liga champions.
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Sanchez, a Chile international, has been strongly linked with a move to Barca this summer after seemingly snubbing interest from Manchester United, Manchester City and Inter Milan.
''I know that Alexis Sanchez is a great player,'' Messi is quoted as saying in Gazzetta dello Sport. ''It would be without a doubt a sensational signing and it would be a great reinforcement for us.''
Sanchez, who is under contract with Udinese until June 2014, has also been linked with a move to Chelsea but has made his desire to move to Spain clear.
Udinese representative Quique Pina, who has played a key role in negotiations, said this week that he believes a deal with Barcelona is very close.
Pina said: "Both clubs have the utmost interest to finalise the transfer. The signing will be £27 million plus variables - he prefers to play in Spain."
