Man City boss Pep Guardiola has hinted at a last-ditch attempt to rope in Arsenal contract rebel Alexis Sanchez.
Man City bosses are planning to land one final big-money signing before the transfer window closes next Thursday.
Former Manchester United defender Jonny Evans is set to arrive at the Etihad once a transfer fee is agreed between Man City and West Brom.
But the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager wants to sign one more attacker in order to add more firepower up front – turning his frontline into one of Europe’s most deadly striker force.
Lionel Messi is yet to sign a new deal at Barcelona with his contract set to expire at the end of this season. The Argentine has been linked with a move to Man City in the recent days but it is understood that there is no chance of him leaving the Nou Camp this summer following Neymar’s move to PSG on a world-record move.
Man City have also admitted defeat in their pursuit of Monaco teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe, who is closing in on a move to PSG despite also being wanted by Real Madrid.
And Guardiola has told reporters to “ask Alexis” to find out if Sanchez wants to reunite with him at the Etihad.
The tactician said: “Alexis? He’s an Arsenal player, like Evans is a West Brom player. You have to ask Alexis. Normally I don’t talk about players from other clubs.”
“I’m happy with the squad I have. We have five or six days left, and we’ll see with the market. Maybe some of the players here will leave and we will see.”
“Now the market is difficult and it was difficult before. You have to spend more, not just City but other clubs. They’re looking for the best solutions. They wait until the last minute to make the deal cheaper.”
Mega-rich Manchester City are set to launch a whooping £70million bid to rope in Sanchez before the transfer window closes this summer.
Pep Guardiola and the Man City bosses have made up their mind and will do their best to land Sanchez right until the 11pm deadline on August 31.
Sanchez has entered the final 12 months of his contract with the Gunners but Arsene Wenger continues to insist that the former Barcelona man will not be allowed to leave this summer.
However, according to the Telegraph, it won’t hold back league rivals Man City to make a last-ditch attempt to tempt Arsenal to sell their prized asset… and are willing to offer Sanchez a mammoth £400,000-a-week wage packet to join the Etihad this summer.
French giants Paris Saint-Germain have also monitored the Chilean’s availability in the recent months.
Sanchez kept the rumour mill ticking and it was believed that he was set to hold talks with the Ligue 1 giants after spending time in the French capital with his girlfriend and agent.
However, now PSG have reportedly cooled down their interest in the Chilean after landing Neymar on a world-record move whilst also closing in on a £160million deal for Monaco teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe.
Arsenal have almost accepted the fact that Sanchez will not pen a deal and now the Gunners hierarchy are ready to leave him on free transfer next year – but are not willing to let him join a league rival this summer.
The Gunners bosses had initially offered the Chilean £225,000-a-week offer but then tabled an improved £300,000-a-week in order to tie him down.
Sanchez have displayed incredible form for the Gunners over the course of the last few seasons and the Gunners bosses desperately want to keep him as they see him as a crucial part of their side to keep the hopes alive of winning the league this time around.
However, Sanchez is keen to play in the Champions League and sees his future away from the Gunners. He is now ready to wait until the end of the season to secure his move.
Guardiola believes that he can make City’s attacking line-up – the most powerful force in Europe – but only if he ropes in Sanchez from Arsenal this summer.
The former Barcelona boss is confident that Gabriel Jesus, Sergio Aguero and Alexis Sanchez up-front, could guide Man City to their first-ever Champions League triumph.