Real Madrid are reportedly planning to hijack Manchester City’s move for Alexis Sanchez.

According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, not only does Alexis have his heart set on leaving Arsenal, Real Madrid are hoping to entice him to La Liga.

The 28-year-old was supposed to complete a £60m move to Manchester City on the final day of the summer transfer window but, after the Gunners failed to secure his replacement in Monaco’s Thomas Lemar, the deal fell through.

It was always assumed that Pep Guardiola would return for the Chilean in January or try to sign him on a free at the end of the season. Of course, with City flying high at the top of the Premier League table, selling them arguably our best player half way through the campaign would be a strange move. And probably not a wise one.

Alexis Sanchez Burnley
(PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Therefore, if Los Blancos are willing to come in for Alexis, I’m sure Arsenal as a club would much prefer this option.

Alexis, like Mesut Ozil, has just over six months left on his current deal in north London and with no new deal on the horizon for either, it’s looking as if the Gunners will have to pull out all the stops to try and sign their replacements as soon as possible.

“Everything has to be right, they have to be happy,” said Wenger after Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Spurs last weekend.

“They love the club, they want to stay but other clubs out there offer good contracts as well.”