Alexis Sanchez will tell Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger this week that he wants to join Manchester City.

The wantaway Chilean forward is ready to make his demand official by slapping in a transfer request if Wenger refuses his plea to leave the Emirates on good terms.

Sanchez was scheduled to return for pre-season training on Sunday after being given extra time to recover from his ­exploits at the Confederations Cup, but he is still in Chile suffering a bout of flu .

Sources in South America insist that the illness is genuine, and not a sign that the 28-year-old is using underhand tactics to agitate for a move. But Sanchez wants to link up again with his former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola.

Wenger says Sanchez won't be sold in this window, even though he could leave for free in a year (
Image:
Reuters)

And, as exclusively revealed by Sunday Mirror Sport, he has priced himself out of moves to Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain by demanding £400,000 a week.

Wenger insists his star striker will not be sold – even for £50m, with less than 12 months left on his contract.

Arsenal are preparing a compromise deal, with the offer of a one-year contract at £300,000 a week and a promise to review the situation next summer.

But Sanchez is determined to go and hopes a personal plea will ensure his departure when he meets Wenger.

Guardiola wants to sign Sanchez — like he did for Barcelona six years ago (
Image:
Reuters)

However, speaking after Saturday’s 5-2 Emirates Cup victory over Benfica, Wenger maintained that Sanchez will be staying at the Emirates and that the forward’s illness is genuine.

Wenger said: “He has flu. I have spoken to him by text. We have been in touch with him and his doctor. He will come back as soon as possible.

“There’s no development. He’s staying. Of course.”

Pressed further on the nature of the exchange, the Frenchman added: “I cannot reveal what he said to me. It was a secret conversation. He’s flying back as soon as he is in a position to do so, normally four or five days.”

It was put to Wenger that he had admitted controversy over his own contractual future had a destabilising effect on the club in the same way as Sanchez’s.

But he replied: “It’s not the same, the players, who have one-year on their contract, have to respect it. For a manager, it’s a bit different, it concerns the future of the club with what the players are thinking.”

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