The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Manchester City could walk away from Sanchez deal
League leaders not willing to pay Arsenal’s price for Chilean striker
Manchester City could walk away from a deal to sign Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez, with Jose Mourinho refusing to dismiss Manchester United’s own interest in the Chilean.
Sanchez has been a long-time target for City but it is understood the Premier League leaders feel the overall cost to sign the forward this month – including transfer fee, agent costs and wage demands – is currently too high and must come down.
The 29-year-old is out of contract in the summer and City would hope to do a deal for around £20 million, yet it is believed they have been quoted £35m.
Pep Guardiola’s club are thought to be unconcerned that their stance opens the door for another club to step in, even if that team is their cross-city rivals United.
And Mourinho did little to quash any potential move from United when asked about their possible interest in Sanchez.
“I don’t think it’s correct to say things about Alexis Sanchez,” he said.
“At the general level, what I can say is that myself and the Manchester United board, we don’t believe a lot in the January market. We don’t believe in signing players just to sign a player, just to do something.
“What we believe really is that there are some players in the football world, if you have a chance to sign them, it doesn’t matter if it is in January, March or July you have to try.
“But in relation to Alexis Sanchez, I don’t say a word. The only word I can say is the same word that everybody says, he’s a phenomenal player.
“Apart from that, (he’s an) Arsenal player, I feel I shouldn’t say much more than this.”
City, who were unsuccessful with a £60m offer for Sanchez last summer, have been convinced of the forward’s desire to work with his exBarcelona manager Guardiola again for some time but they were prepared to wait until his contract expires in June.
A knee injury suffered by Gabriel Jesus on New Year’s Eve had the potential to bring forward a potential deal, but the Brazilian could now be back training within three weeks.
Guardiola refused to discuss the matter at a press conference for tomorrow’s visit to Anfield to take on Liverpool.
He said. “I’m focused on (playing) Liverpool, believe me. Alexis: everyone knows how good he is, but I am not going to answer about Alexis or other players.”
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, has stressed that Sanchez will only be allowed to leave if a replacement is found.
The Gunners, who maintain they have not yet received an approach for Sanchez, have been linked with Bordeaux’s Brazilian forward Malcom.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, meanwhile, insists he has no intention of quitting the club.
The Italian won the Premier League title last term, in his first season as boss of the Blues, who face Leicester today.
Conte, who has been linked with jobs in Italy and with Paris St-Germain in France, said: “Everything is possible.
“In one moment you stay here, in another moment another person replaces you in your job.”
Asked if he would extend his contract with Chelsea, he added: “In this case, I think the club has to decide to send me away.”