Barca sign Sanchez for 26 million euros

Spanish and European champions Barcelona have reached a deal with Italian club Udinese to buy Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez for 26 million euros, it announced Thursday. The 22-year-old will sign a five-year contract, it said in a statement on its website. "Barcelona and Udinese have reached an agreement on the transfer of Alexis Sanchez. The deal is for five years. The cost of the transfer is 26 million euros" with a further 11.5 million in "variables", referring to match-related bonuses. Sanchez has played for Udinese since 2008 and last season was voted best player in Serie A, after scoring 12 goals in 31 games. The player had also been linked with English sides Manchester United and Manchester City, but said last month that he wanted "Barcelona or nothing". Sanchez "has been sought by the best teams in the world. However, he has been strongly committed to playing for Barca," the statement said. Barca coach Pep Guardiola said this week that his priority for next season was signing a forward, with Sanchez his top target.