Bayern Munich have ruled themselves out of the race to sign Alexis Sanchez, who they believe has already decided on his next club.
Sanchez made no secret of his desire to leave Arsenal this summer for a move to a Champions League club. His preferred destination was Manchester City, which would have afforded him a reunion with his former manager at Barcelona Pep Guardiola.
The German side had Sanchez as their top target during the summer transfer window but were put off by wage demands well in excess of £300,000-a-week.
Chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed that Bayern will not revive their interest in January.
“I think Sanchez has already decided which club [to join], so I suppose that the door will be closed in January,” Rummenigge told Sky Germany.
“That’s not an issue, and he is no direct substitute for Robert Lewandowski as he is not a real centre forward.”
Arsene Wenger insisted ahead of this afternoon’s match with Manchester City that he did not expect Sanchez to leave in January, when the Citizens are expected to test Arsenal’s resolve with a bid of around £20million.
City thought they had got their man for £60m on deadline day in August but Sanchez missed out on his move when Arsenal failed to secure a £92m deal for Thomas Lemar as his replacement.
