Alexis Sanchez has told his Chilean team-mates that he is bound for Manchester City .
Arsenal striker Sanchez is desperate to link-up again with Pep Guardiola - and believes a deal between City and the Gunners has already been sealed.
The saga has overshadowed Chile's preparations for tonight's vital World Cup qualifier against Paraguay in Macul.
And so Sanchez took time out this morning to inform his team-mates that his future had now been resolved – and that he is heading for Manchester.
According to reports in South America, the 28-year-old's announcement was greeted with cheers.
Arsenal continue to insist that they will not be doing business with City until they have got a replacement – and reports from Monaco are now claiming that a £90million bid for Thomas Lemar has been accepted.
The French champions have told Lemar that the decision is now down to him.
Paris St Germain's Julian Drexler is another big name who is of interest to Arsene Wenger.
City, who had an opening £50million bid for Sanchez rejected yesterday, have now slapped another offer on the table believed to be worth £55million plus £5million in add-ons.
Arsenal have accepted the deal in principle – but told City they would demand that their full £70million valuation is met in full if they are unable to land a stellar name to pacify the Emirates fans.
Sanchez has less than 12 months left on his current contract and told Arsenal a year ago that he would not be signing a new deal because he knew Guardiola wanted him at City.
He has resisted the Gunners' attempts to sell him abroad by pricing himself out of moves to Bayern Munich and PSG with wage demands in excess of £400,000-a-week.
It makes no financial sense for Arsenal to allow Sanchez to join City for free next summer.
And after Sanchez reported back late for pre-season, the London club are also aware that they will have a disgruntled player on their hands for what is already proving to be a torrid season for Wenger.