Manchester City are expected to return in January for Alexis Sanchez, according to reports.

City were close to signing the Chilean at the end of the summer transfer window, but Arsenal cancelled the deal at the last moment.

According to the Telegraph, City will try again when the window re-opens in January and are confident of getting the deal done at a reduced price.

Alexis will have six months remaining on his contract in January, which will put Arsenal under pressure to sell and get some money for him.

Arsenal turned down £60m from City after failing to secure a replacement. They wanted Monaco’s Thomas Lemar, but were unable to complete the deal despite offering more than £90m for the midfielder.

If Arsenal letting Alexis go is dependent on a replacement, a January move seems unlikely. It may be more difficult for the Gunners to sign someone like Lemar or Paris Saint-Germain’s Julian Draxler in the January window, in my opinion.

Real Madrid and PSG have also been heavily linked with Alexis. The Telegraph also report that the rest of the Arsenal squad will be relieved when Alexis leaves, as they feel the Chilean’s reluctance to sign has had a detrimental effect on the squad.