City to launch deadline day bid for Sanchez

MANCHESTER CITY will return with a significantly improved cash-only offer of around £70m (RM385.5m) for Alexis Sanchez, as they hope to finally convince Arsenal to sell the player on deadline day – despite not including a player.

The long-running transfer saga has already gone on longer than expected, but is even more pressurised than others on the final morning of the transfer window due to the fact Sanchez is set to appear for Chile in a home World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Thursday night, and the difficulties of thereby completing any formalities.

While City have already sent a team of legal and medical officials to South America to ensure any deal can get done as quick as possible if they finally get the green light, much will depend on whether Arsenal feel they can bring in an adequate replacement in time. The London club remain highly reluc- tant to sell, but there is still pressure on their end too.

Arsenal have rejected one offer and are insisting on a fee of over £70m or a player coming in return before they even countenance the Chilean going.

While that remains a hardline stance, sources close to City believe that it also reflects a significant softening of the Emirates hierarchy’s position on a deal, following direct contact between the clubs.

City made an official approach on Tuesday morning, but Arsenal insisted a player come in return, with the names of Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero mentioned.

The Manchester club are unwilling to let either player go, but were “confident” they could get a cashonly purchase done before the transfer deadline.

With Sanchez currently on international duty for Chile, City have a legal and medical team on standby in the country as a precaution in case a deal is struck over the next few hours, so there would be minimal time wasted in trying to get all of the formalities of any deal done. The soften

ing of the stance is said by sources to have been influenced by the more disgruntled mood in the Arsenal dressing room towards Sanchez, as well as the fact the club need to sell before they can buy big. There is also the complication that it would be much more difficult for Wenger to bring in such a player on the final day. City’s determination to sign Sanchez has not wavered throughout the summer and their players were confident the Chilean would be joining them several weeks ago. The striker has been equally keen to rejoin Pep Guardiola with whom he enjoyed a sound relationship at Barcelona even if his appearances in the starting line-up did not reflect that. But for City fans, Sanchez’s impending arrival raises the question of who makes way and delighted though they would be to see the Chilean in City sky blue, the prospect of losing their legendary striker Aguero leaves them with decidely mixed feelings. – The Independent