Shay Given says Manchester City shouldn’t consider swapping Raheem Sterling for Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez.

Arsenal were interested in signing Sterling in the summer, with reports claiming they wanted him as part of a swap deal for Alexis.

City said no, and since then Sterling has been one of their more in-form players, scoring 13 goals in all competitions.

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given feels the rumours may have spurred Sterling into improving himself, and that City need to keep hold of him.

“I wouldn’t be swapping Sterling, no chance,” he told the Daily Star. “The way he’s been playing and the goals he’s been scoring – he’s in a real rich vein of form.

“Maybe the summer link with Arsenal – the swap deal with Sanchez – has given Sterling a bit of a wake-up call. I think he’s shown to Guardiola and a lot of fans up and down the country what a top player he is.”

Given went on to say that if Arsenal were willing, City should sign Alexis as well. “If Arsenal are willing to do some sort of deal I’d be surprised if he’s not there in January.”

Having failed to sign Alexis in the summer, City are expected to make an offer in January. If not then, they could sign him for free in the summer.

Given the form of Sterling and Leroy Sane, and the fact they already have Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero as well, you could argue they don’t need Alexis at all.

Yet, that isn’t going to stop them from depriving a rival of one of their best players it seems. It’d be useful if Arsenal could get one of City’s attackers in return, but they’re clearly not interested in such a deal.