Arsenal transfer news: Alexis Sanchez asks to leave Chile duty to complete Man City move

Sanchez has been heavily linked with a move away from Arsenal this summer with just under a year left on his contract.

Reports surfaced this morning that Manchester City have offered a player-plus-cash deal for the 28-year-old forward, with Raheem Sterling going the other way.

The Gunners are desperate to keep hold of Sanchez and yesterday denied suggestions that he had handed in a transfer request to force through a move.

But Chilean station TV13 claim Sanchez has today asked permission to leave the Chile squad to sort out a move before the window shuts on Thursday.

Sanchez’s request has reportedly not gone down well with Chile head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi, but he is unlikely to stand in his way.

Arsenal have endured a poor start to the season, following up their opening day win over Leicester with two defeats to Stoke and Liverpool.

And after Sunday’s 4-0 drubbing at Anfield, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry questioned why Sanchez would want to extend his stay at the Gunners.

When asked about the former Barcelona star, Henry told Sky Sports: "Why would he stay after watching this? After this type of performance?

“That is why they [Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain] are not renewing their contracts. There is something wrong with Arsenal at the minute.

"It was unwatchable, at one point I wanted to leave. I don't relate to the team and I don't think a lot of the fans do. That is a problem.

"The word I have used for a long time is comfort. Everything is comfortable at Arsenal. 

“Everyone can stay, you don't try to find out the player you can be, it's ok to play well, and if you're not playing well there's not the pressure you should have at a big club.

"You are not even competing. It's on them to change it, but everything is nice and it cannot be like that."