Gunners contract rebel Alexis Sanchez will reject a move to Real Madrid to join Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
FootTheBall sources revealed that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has now identified Sanchez as one of their top transfer targets.
Sanchez struck the decisive blow in Arsenal’s 3-1 comeback win over Cologne in the Europa League.
The Chilean cut in from the left, drifted past two defenders and curled a beauty inside the far post.
Arsenal fans were elated to see their main man back in form but the same Gunners supporters had booed him after the former Barca man failed to force through his move to league rivals Manchester City.
But sources close to the player revealed that Sanchez has made up his mind and will not stay at Arsenal despite regaining his heroic status at the Emirates after anchoring Arsenal’s comeback win over the German opponents in their Europa League opener on Thursday.
The Chilean is desperate to move to Man City either in the January transfer window or next summer when he will be a free agent after his contract with the Gunners expires.
Man City are confident of roping in Sanchez after failing to land him on a mega £60m bid on deadline day as Arsenal refused to sell their key player after transfer target Thomas Lemar turned down a £90m move to the Emirates.
Sanchez still wants to reunite with former boss Pep Guardiola despite the opportunity of playing for Real Madrid and has given strong indications that he will move to the Emirates most probably next summer when he runs out his Arsenal contract.
This means that Arsenal would have to take a £40m hit on Sanchez as Man City would not be willing to spend anything more than £20m on the Chilean, who will be out of contract next summer.
However, boss Wenger and the Arsenal board still remains hopeful of convincing Sanchez to sign a new deal and they believe that the Chilean will help them back into the Champions League places next summer.
Real Madrid are looking out for options to bolster their forward line after selling Alvaro Morata to Chelsea this summer and now they have shown interest in Sanchez.
There are continued doubts over Gareth Bale’s long term future and the Los Blancos chiefs have considered Sanchez as one of their options.
However, sources close to Sanchez have revealed that Sanchez will turn down a move to Real Madrid as he has his heart set at a reunion with former Barca boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and has made that clear to all parties concerned.