Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez's luxury home seized by Spanish tax authorities

Sanchez owns the attic flat in this block (Photo: Sport)

Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez's luxury home in Barcelona has been seized by Spanish tax authorities who believe he owes them €3,702,540 (£3.12m) in unpaid taxes.

The alleged debts correspond to the years 2011, 2012 and 2013, when he was playing for the Catalan giants before joining Arsenal in 2014.

Sanchez is accused of simulating the sale of his image rights through a shell company named Numidia Trading in Malta.

He is said to own a 99 per cent stake in the company. Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reported the news on Friday, saying that it was another signal that authorities in Spain were working against Barcelona, given Javier Mascherano, Lionel Messi and former player Samuel Eto'o have been involved in similar cases.

Sanchez's property has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a toilet, kitchen, lounge and entrance hall.

In November El Periodico claimed prosecutor Miguel Angel Perez de Gregorio raised a criminal complaint against Sanchez for not paying tax on his image rights and not declaring his earnings in full.

The player's agent has said previously: "Alexis Sanchez has perfectly obeyed every one of the laws imposed by the countries where he has resided.

"We ask the press and public at large for the upmost respect until the completion of the ongoing administrative and judicial process."

Neymar was another Barcelona player who has seen his assets frozen, with a Sao Paulo court in February issuing warrants to seize several properties of his in Brazil, his private jet and a yacht, related to alleged tax evasion on money raised from his transfer to the club from Santos.

Messi was given a 21-month suspended prison sentence after he and his father were found guilty of tax evasion, along with Mascherano who was given a one year sentence.

Neither Barcelona player spent time in prison because first-time offenders in Spain do not usually go to prison for non-violent crimes if the sentences are under two years.