Alexis Sanchez equals Chile's all-time top scoring record as speculation over his future continues

Alexis Sanchez was on top form as Chile beat Venezuela 3-1 in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday evening, a result that sees them leapfrog Argentina into fourth in the South American standings.

The Arsenal forward took just five minutes to break the deadlock with a stunning free-kick, his 37^th international goal which moves him level with the legendary Marcelo Salas at the top of Chile’s list of all-time top goal-scorers.

However he missed the chance to break Salas’ record in the same match, as he missed a penalty late on. A brace from Esteban Paredes made sure of the three points, despite West Brom striker Salomon Rondon pulling one back for the visitors.

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The result completes quite the turnaround for Sanchez, who angrily stormed off down the tunnel without his team-mates at the end of Chile’s 1-0 defeat to Argentina in Buenos Aires, on Thursday.

The forward missed a number of chances and rattled the crossbar with a dipping free-kick late on, angrily tearing at this shirt upon the final whistle and falling to the turf in frustration.

Sanchez will now fly back to England to report back to Arsenal’s training centre at London Colney.

How much longer the 28-year-old remains at the club however remains to be seen. His current contract with the club expires at the end of next season , but talks with the club have been shelved until the end of the current campaign.

Sanchez, along with his team-mate Mesut Özil, is asking for upwards of £250,000 per week but a breakthrough has yet to be reached with Arsenal, despite months of negotiation.

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The player has been regularly linked with a move to Juventus in Serie A, while this week he also emerged as a surprise transfer target for Premier League leaders Chelsea.

The Guardian reported that the club have made Sanchez their main summer transfer target, following a meeting between Antonio Conte, club director Marina Granovskaia and technical director Michael Emenalo.