Wantaway Arsenal superstar Sanchez was linked with a move to City throughout the summer transfer window.

But Guardiola’s side waited until the final few days of the market to make their move for the Chilean.

They made bids of £50m and £65m for the 28-year-old but Arsenal rejected the offers, insisting they wanted a player in return, namely England ace Sterling.

Guardiola has now lifted the lid on the transfer saga, saying an exchange deal was never on the cards.

He said: "When we started to speak with Arsenal in the last days, they wanted to make a swap with Raz.

“They talked to me and I said ‘no chance. zero chance. Not one per cent chance we will swap Raz because I trust a lot in him’.

“22 years old, English player, there is a lot of room to improve.

"The only deal we would do was cash. In the end Alexis stayed in Arsenal.

“I don't know what will happen in the winter. Sometimes deals work, sometimes not."

Sterling scored a 97th-minute winner for City against Bournemouth before the international break.

But the winger will not be available to face former club Liverpool in tomorrow’s blockbuster at the Etihad following his dramatic red card against the Cherries.