Antonio Conte is probably the only person on this planet that doesn’t reckon Alexis Sanchez is off to Manchester City this month.

At the moment, you’re never more than two mouse clicks away from a report claiming that Alexis is on his way to City before February. However, Conte has other ideas. The Chelsea boss believes the 29-year-old will stay in north London and see out the season at Arsenal.

“For sure we are talking about an important player, about a good player,” he said. “If this type of situation happens, because in my opinion I think Sanchez will finish the season at Arsenal, this is my opinion, I don’t know.

“But if happens a different situation… I don’t know, I don’t know what will happen during the transfer market this month because every team can rely on the transfer market to improve, to become more strong.”

City are reportedly ready to pay £25m for the Chilean, but the Gunners are holding out for £35m – not bad considering he has just six months left on his current contract and would otherwise leave on a free in June.

alexis sanchez chelsea
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 03: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal warms up prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on January 3, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola’s side need a forward, although their manager would likely wait until the summer to sign Alexis had it not been for Gabriel Jesus getting injured.

Perhaps Alexis will stay in January, but everything about his form this season, to the reports popping up on a daily basis, suggest otherwise.

He might have netted seven Premier League goals, but anyone who’s watched him in action can see he’s far from settled. As it stands, Arsenal fans just want the drama to be over, whether that’s with Alexis at the club or not.