Manchester City are set to test Arsenal’s resolve to keep Alexis Sanchez by making a formal bid before Thursday’s transfer deadline.
Manager Arsene Wenger has repeatedly ruled out a sale this month despite the 28-year-old entering the final year of his contract and continuing to reject an extension worth £300,000 a week including image rights.
One report today suggested City had offered Raheem Sterling to the Gunners in a player-plus-cash deal but Standard Sport understands that as of this morning the club had not received an official bid.
However, with just over 48 hours until the window closes, that is expected to change, with Sanchez keen on moving to City and Pep Guardiola determined to land his man.
Sanchez is believed to have informed Wenger of his desire to leave. An offer worth in the region of £70million would seriously test the Frenchman’s public stance that the club are ready to take the financial gamble by risking losing him for nothing next summer.
The inclusion of Sterling in a possible deal is an intriguing aspect, given Wenger closely monitored the England international at Queens Park Rangers prior to his Anfield move in 2012.
“We watched him but you miss obvious players,” said Wenger in December 2015. “The history of every club is full of top players that you missed. At the time, Liverpool were quicker.”
It is thought Sterling would consider a move away from City, given first-team opportunities are expected to be limited under Guardiola, especially bearing in mind his desire to retain a place in Gareth Southgate’s England team in a World Cup year.
It remains to be seen whether Sterling’s addition to negotiations will tempt Wenger into selling but keeping Sanchez against his will appears more troublesome after Sunday’s 4-0 thrashing at Liverpool. Sanchez made his first start of the season but was a frustrated figure as the Gunners produced a dismal display. He was filmed smiling in the dugout by television cameras following his second-half substitution.
Sanchez has joined up with his Chile international team-mates but will likely ask for dispensation to leave the set-up and agree personal terms should Arsenal indicate they are willing to sanction a deal.
Although a host of clubs including Chelsea, Paris St Germain, Juventus and Bayern Munich have been linked with a move for Sanchez, City are in pole position and are willing to significantly improve the contract offer Arsenal have made.
Sanchez could yet follow Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out of the door after Arsenal agreed a fee believed to be £40m with Chelsea. The 24-year-old is finalising personal terms and the Blues are confident of completing the deal despite interest from Liverpool.