Manchester Evening News

City target Sanchez: I want to leave Arsenal

PEP’S VISION MAY TAKE THREE YEARS TO BECOME REALITY CITY SPECIAL: PAGES 46-48

- By SIMON BAJKOWSKI

CITY target Alexis Sanchez has confirmed that he wants to leave Arsenal.

The Chilean forward is one of Pep Guardiola’s top transfer targets this summer and has finally spoken out about his Emirates future to Radio Sport Chlie.

The 28-year-old has just one year left on his contract and negotiatio­ns over a new deal have stalled – with the forward reportedly demanding a wage of around £400,000 a week.

Speaking on a visit to his home town Tocopilla where he was visiting family, he said: “I want to play in the Champions League. The decision does not depend on me, I have to wait for Arsenal.”

With Arsenal having failed to finish in the top four for the first time since 1996, his comments confirm that he has asked to leave the club he has been with for three years.

He added: “I have made my decision, now I wait for Arsenal’s reply. The idea is to play in the Champions League. I have dreamt about it since I was a child.”

Arsenal are currently out in Australia on a pre-season tour but Sanchez’s involvemen­t in the Confederat­ions Cup meant that he had been allowed extra holiday.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been repeatedly asked about the situation.

His latest comments when asked if Sanchez would be staying were: “Of course. There is not a lot to resolve with the player. I have spoken through text and it was very positive. My thoughts are always positive.”

Guardiola previously worked with Sanchez at Barcelona after signing him for £22.65m from Udinese in 2011. Wenger, however, has ruled out selling his prized asset to a Premier League rival.

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