Barcelona announce signing of Alexis Sanchez

Barcelona have officially announced the signing of Alexis Sanchez from Udinese in a deal worth a total of €37.5 million.

The attacker had been given permission to leave the Chilean national squad's preparation for the Copa America in anticipation of the transfer being finalised late last month, but the two sides were unable to reach an agreement and the move was therefore put on hold until the Andean side had concluded their campaign in the continental competition.

The Catalan club had hoped to negotiate a player plus cash deal for Sanchez, but both Bojan Krkic and Jeffren Suarez rejected moves to the Serie A side.

Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola, said of Sanchez in a press conference in Barcelona on Tuesday: "He is very young, he can play in three different attacking positions, he has a lot of defensive intensity, he can unlock a match and, from what I have been told, he is a very good boy."

Sanchez leaves Udinese after five years with the club, during which time he spent seasons on loan with Colo Colo and River Plate. He made 111 appearances for the Friuli outfit, scoring 21 goals.