Manchester City waiting to welcome Arsenal contract rebel Alexis Sanchez with 'open arms', says Claudio Bravo

Claudio Bravo says Manchester City are ready to welcome Alexis Sanchez to the club with 'open arms' should he manage to agitate his way out of Arsenal this summer.

The forward has entered the last year of his contract at the Emirates and has set his sights on a reunion with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, with whom he played under at Barcelona.

While Arsenal have so far refused to entertain the idea of selling their star player to a Premier League rival, Sanchez's Chile international team-mate Bravo has reassured him that the door will remain open. 

Alexis Sanchez has been looking to leave Arsenal with Manchester City his first choice

Alexis Sanchez has been looking to leave Arsenal with Manchester City his first choice

'If he decides to go, we'll wait for him with open arms at City,' Bravo told 24 Horas.


That will be reassuring news for Sanchez, who may have to wait a whole 12 months before eventually joining the goalkeeper at the Etihad Stadium. Indeed, Arsene Wenger has insisted the club would rather lose Sanchez for nothing next summer than sell now.

Of course, Arsenal will still hope to eventually convince Sanchez to sign a contract extension at the club, but Sportsmail understands the prospect of such an occurrence is looking bleaker than ever.

The Chile star has less than a year remaining on his contract and can leave for free in 2018

The Chile star has less than a year remaining on his contract and can leave for free in 2018

Arsenal star Sanchez uploaded a photograph alongside his dog with the caption: 'Sick'

Arsenal star Sanchez uploaded a photograph alongside his dog with the caption: 'Sick'

Negotiations between Emirates officials and Sanchez's advisors have broken down with Arsenal's offer of £275,000-per-week – including a 20 per cent wage rise if and when they re-qualify for the Champions League – failing to sway him.

Sanchez was due back in training with Arsenal this weekend but used Instagram to reveal he had been struck down by illness with the insinuation that his return would be slightly delayed.

There is no suggestion that Sanchez will refuse to return in order to seal an exit but that may end up being the only way he wears the sky blue shirt. 

Then again, there is no guarantee that Sanchez will be welcomed by Bravo if he can get his move to City with the former Barcelona star also tipped for a transfer after a disastrous debut season. 

Claudio Bravo is facing an uncertain future with Manchester City after a poor debut season

Claudio Bravo is facing an uncertain future with Manchester City after a poor debut season