Man City are reportedly set to offer a whopping £70m to try and prise Alexis Sanchez away from Arsenal before the transfer deadline this month.
The 28-year-old is in the final year of his contract and has been heavily linked with an exit this summer so as to avoid moving for free in 12 months time.
Despite the fact that Arsene Wenger has been adamant throughout the summer that the Chilean international is going nowhere, reports refuse to go away over his future.
According to The Mirror, City are now ready to seriously test Arsenal’s resolve by launching a monster £70m bid for Sanchez, with Pep Guardiola and the hierarchy ready to wait until the deadline on August 31 to try and convince their Premier League rivals to sell.
Wenger is said to still be resolute on the matter in that he won’t sell and is still hopeful that Sanchez will sign a £300,000-a-week extension, but it remains to be seen if it’s enough to convince him to stay at the Emirates.
It’s noted in the report that should City complete the deal, that would take Guardiola’s spending up to almost £250m, and combined with the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Sergio Aguero and the countless other attacking options they have available, they would undoubtedly boast one of the most feared line-ups in Europe.
Nevertheless, it’s no surprise to see Arsenal so keen to keep Sanchez despite his contract situation, as the former Barcelona man was integral to them last season, scoring 30 goals and providing 19 assists in 51 appearances in all competitions.
He’s been missed in the opening two games of the new campaign while he’s been sidelined with injury, and Arsenal may yet have to get used to playing without him on a more regular basis.