The two clubs are currently locked in negotiations.
Manchester City have stepped up their pursuit of Alexis Sanchez, with the Premier League leaders now expected to wrap up the signing of the Arsenal star in the next week.
City have been caught in two minds over whether to sign Sanchez in January or wait to the summer to snap him up on a free transfer, but it looks as though the injury to Gabriel Jesus has forced their hand, according to multiple outlets, including The Independent’s Miguel Delaney and John Cross of the Daily Mirror.
Crucially, unlike in the summer, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is reportedly willing to sanction the Chilean’s sale in the current transfer window. Sanchez has become an increasingly divisive figure in the Arsenal dressing room and it seems as though Wenger is happy to sell the former Barcelona forward over concerns of growing tension.
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According to Cross, Arsenal are holding out for a fee of close to €40m, but City are confident of securing his signature for closer to €30m. The Premier League leaders have remained tight-lipped on them severity of Jesus’ injury, with unconfirmed reports suggesting that the Brazilian striker is set to be tested for a potential ruptured cruciate ligament injury.
If true, that would rule him out for the rest of the season, thus increasing the need for City boss Pep Guardiola to sign reinforcements up top with only Sergio Aguero as the club’s only fit senior striker.
City came close to signing the 29-year-old in the summer but Arsenal blocked the deal because of a failure to secure his replacement. It remains to be seen if Wenger re-invests in the current window. Monaco midfielder Thomas Lemar has been heavily linked, but the French club have stated that he is not for sale.
Wenger last week hinted that Sanchez’s departure was very much a possibility this month by saying that the club has a track record of responding well to losing key players in the past.
“This club has lost many, many big players and has always responded well. Massive players have left this club and the club will always be in a strong position. You want to keep your best players.”
