Hristo Stoichkov Condemns Barcelona for Selling Their 'Best Player' Alexis Sanchez to Arsenal

Barcelona legend Hristo Stoichkov has slammed Barcelona's directors for their decision to sell Alexis Sanchez to Arsenal, claiming they "know nothing about football."

The Gunners confirmed their stunning move to sign the 25-year-old forward for a fee believed to be in the region of £30m on Thursday as Barcelona continue to make sweeping changes to the squad that struggled under former boss Gerado Martino last season.

Sanchez follows Victor Valdes, the retired Carlos Puyol and Cesc Fabregas out of the club but it is the sale of the Chilean international that has enraged Stoichkov.

"Because of those who do not understand football we must sell the best player we have at Barca," Stoichkov was quoted as saying by AS.

"The policy of Barca was always like this, they do not like great players. Alexis is the best player for his pace and his battling qualities. He fights for every ball, he plays for the team. I like his mentality. He is leaving with his head held high. He is a decisive player."

Sanchez helped fill the void left by Lionel Messi during the Argentine's sporadic absences through injury last season, contributing 19 La Liga goals during an excellent campaign.

Barcelona have quickly supplemented the loss of the Chilean by confirming a deal for Liverpool striker Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan international has agreed a five year contract with the Catalan giants and will undergo a medical before completing the move next week for a fee believed to be in the region of £75m.

The disgraced striker will be unable to play for his new club until early November however due to his four month ban from all football imposed by Fifa following his bite on Italy's Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup. The striker will also serve a stadium ban during this time which prohibits him "from entering the confines of any stadium during the period of the ban".