Manchester City will attempt to sign Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez again when the January window opens, according to latest reports.

Alexis was on the brink of joining Manchester City until the deal collapsed at the last minute. And according to Sky Sports, City will seek to resurrect the deal when the transfer window re-opens in January.

Any deal in January would be complicated by Alexis’ contract situation, however. The 28-year-old will be able to discuss terms with foreign clubs when he has six months remaining on his deal, which might open up more escape routes for him.

Meanwhile, City might be less willing to spend big knowing that they can sign the player on a free transfer in the summer. As for Arsenal, unless Alexis proves to be completely intolerable in the upcoming months, their position is unlikely to change: they will only sell the Chilean international if they can sign a replacement.

Arsenal still have hopes of signing Monaco’s Thomas Lemar but will need to have a good season between now and January to convince the player they’re worth joining. Who knows, maybe the Gunners could even be above City in the table by the time January comes about.

It’s crazy to think about, but it’s certainly not impossible.