Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Arsenal rebuff City’s £50 million Sanchez bid
ARSENAL have rejected an approach for Alexis Sanchez from Manchester City as Pep Guardiola steps up his pursuit of the Chile forward.
The Gunners are intent on keeping Sanchez despite strong interest from City, who are widely reported to have tabled a £50million offer.
Sanchez has entered the final year of his contract at the Emirates Stadium and Arsenal’s resolve is being tested by their Premier League rivals ahead of tomorrow’s transfer deadline.
It is understood that West Brom have agreed a fee to take Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs to the Hawthorns, but it is the future of Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain that will really occupy the minds of Gunners fans.
City continue to appear the likely destination should Sanchez depart, while England international Oxlade-Chamberlain has a couple of suitors. Chelsea have agreed a £40million fee with Arsenal for Oxlade-Chamberlain but the 24-year-old has turned down a move to Stamford Bridge as he wants to join Liverpool instead.
With the transfer window open until 11pm tomorrow, the pair could yet complete their moves.
Both are out of contract at the end of the season, although manager Arsene Wenger has stressed on several occasions that he wishes for both to remain at Arsenal.
The Frenchman — who has spoken for weeks about the need to trim his squad — is already under pressure after Sunday’s 4-0 loss at Liverpool.
Brazilian defender Gabriel was sold to Valencia last week and, as well as Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sanchez, there are several other players who may leave.