LONDON -- Antonio Conte says it would be a "lack of respect" to Chelsea as well as Arsenal to talk about Alexis Sanchez's future amid speculation that the Blues could exploit the impasse in the Chilean's talks over a new contract.
Sanchez, who leads the Premier League scoring charts along with Diego Costa having netted 11 goals in 14 appearances this season, has just 18 months to run on his current deal at the Emirates Stadium and reports this week suggested Chelsea are ready to prise him from Arsenal if their London rivals fail to tie their star down to a new long-term contract.
Arsene Wenger said in a news conference on Thursday that the Gunners will hold Sanchez and fellow marquee signing Mesut Ozil to the remainder of their current deals at the very least, and Conte maintained his position of refusing to indulge any transfer speculation before the January window opens.
"I don't think it's right to talk about the other players of other teams," Conte said when asked if Chelsea would be interested in Sanchez. "It's not right. Now we are totally focused on the next game against West Brom. January or next season are very far [away] for us.
"It's not right to talk about the players of other teams. It's a lack of respect for their players, their clubs, my team and my club."