HEN’S EXTRA TIME
CITY are ready to launch a January move for Alexis Sanchez after learning of two rival bids for the Arsenal striker.
The Blues’ preference is to wait until the end of the season when the Chilean will become a free agent as his contract with the Gunners ends.
But Pep Guardiola is not prepared to risk missing out on a player he was desperate to sign in the summer, even with his side on a record winning run and flying high at the top of the HENRIKH Mkhitaryan is doing extra gym work in an attempt to regain his United place.
M.E.N. Sport understands Mkhitaryan has been putting in additional hours in between his Reds training schedule after losing his place in Jose Mourinho’s starting XI.
Mkhitaryan, 28, has been dropped from three of the last four matchday squads and has not started since the table. Arsenal know January is their last chance to cash-in on their prize asset, who has refused to sign a new deal.
And they are convinced they can get an albeit reduced fee for Sanchez, with two unnamed clubs making it clear they are prepared to pay when the transfer window reopens next month.
City saw a £60m deal fall through on deadline day in the summer. While the club’s hierarchy were determined then that they would be prepared to wait 12 months to bring him to the Etihad, they always anticipated the possibility of having to bring forward their plans midway through the campaign. City have continued to monitor Sanchez’ situation, knowing he is free to talk to interested foreign clubs from January.
They have long-been convinced his preference is to reunite with Guardiola, who he worked under at Barcelona.
But having been stung by Dani Alves’ decision to reject them in favour of Paris St Germain in the summer, City do not want to risk missing out again. News of two solid offers for Sanchez could now convince them to launch a £20m bid to end any doubt. November 5 defeat at Chelsea, where Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher claimed United played ‘with 10 men’ due to Mkhitaryan’s apparent anonymity.
The Armenia international (left) is believed to be putting in extra hours away from the club’s Carrington training complex after Mourinho admitted he was unhappy with Mkhitaryan’s form.
“I was not happy with his last performances. I’m not speaking about one or two, I’m speaking about three, four or five,” Mourinho said.
“He started the season very well and after that, step by step, he was disappearing.
“His performance levels in terms of goal scoring and assists, high pressing, recovering the ball high up the pitch, bringing the team with him as a No.10, were decreasing step by step.”
Mkhitaryan began the campaign well, scoring twice and assisting six goals in August and September, but his form has dropped in recent weeks.