Manchester City are reportedly still hopeful that they can sign Alexis Sanchez for £45m this summer.
City were heavily linked with a move for Alexis earlier this summer. However, after Arsene Wenger reiterated for the 100th time that the Chilean wasn’t going anywhere, the rumours appeared to quieten down.
According to an EXCLUSIVE in the Daily Star, Pep Guardiola is playing the waiting game and could pounce for the 28-year-old nearer the end of the transfer window.
In fact, the former Barcelona boss is allegedly confident that he can sign the forward for £45m if he bides his time.
The transfer window shuts on 31 August at 11pm, which gives Pep plenty of time to make his move.
As Arsene Wenger said recently regarding transfers, if clubs wait until closer to the end of the window, players can ‘suddenly’ become available.
“There’s the usual acceleration in the final part of August,” Wenger told Arsenal Player at the end of July, “But I think you have always to be on alert every day, because a good opportunity might turn up.
“Sometimes people you are after for a long time are not available and suddenly they become available. So you have always to be on alert. That’s what we do.”
Will this apply to City?
It’s impossible to tell right now as Alexis seems to want to leave and he does have less than a year on his current contract with Arsenal. Therefore, while Wenger is adamant that the forward won’t be sold, a lot could change and the Gunners could suddenly decide to cash in while they still can, which City are apparently counting on.
Alexis is desperate for Champions League football, which Arsenal can’t offer him this coming season. However, the club are probably hoping that if they can keep him at the club, they can regain their spot in the top four and convince him to sign an extension.
Plus, even if he does leave for free next year, Arsenal will receive £32m+ just for finishing in the top four, which can go towards signing a replacement.
The Chile international scored 30 goals over all competitions last season and selling him to a direct rival would be a bad move, no matter the financial gain.