Report: Manchester City bid for Alexis Sanchez

After Manchester City’s determined pursuit of Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez came up short in the summer, the Guardian reports that Pep Guardiola’s still interested.

Although Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are 15 points clear at the top of the table, that isn’t stopping him from improving his squad. One of the players Guardiola coveted this past summer was Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger fought off the interest at the time, but the Guardian has reported that Guardiola’s interest hasn’t died down and the Spanish tactician plans on securing Sanchez’s services in the January window. City’s first bid was worth £20 million.

Sanchez has been a key player for Wenger’s side ever since he joined from Barcelona in July of 2014. Sanchez currently has seven goals and three assists on the season for the Gunners, which put him at second and fifth for the team, respectively.

Even with Sanchez being a key player for Arsenal, Wenger’s back is up against a wall as Sanchez’s contract runs out this summer. He has two choices, to accept City’s bid and let him leave now, or reject it and then watch as Sanchez signs on a free transfer to join City when his contract with Arsenal expires.

One player who Arsenal are interested in as a replacement is Monaco’s Thomas Lemar, who they planned to sign this past summer, which would’ve allowed them to let Sanchez leave for City for a higher transfer fee.

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Now that it’s the winter window, though, and Arsenal are getting half the fee they were going to originally get for Sanchez, it remains to be seen whether they’ll be able to meet Monaco’s £90 million pound evaluation of the french starlet.

Guardiola’s non-stop determination is a reminder that his Manchester City are looking to lift as many trophies as possible this season. With Gabriel Jesus set to be sidelined for the next two months, Guardiola is wasting no time in shoring up his squad’s depth.