Manchester City willing to be patient for top transfer target

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is still hopeful of landing Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez despite Arsene Wenger previously ruling out a transfer to one of their main Premier League rivals this summer, reports ESPN.

Sanchez will enter the final 12 months of his current Arsenal deal next month and does not appear to have a long-term future at the club after turning down several offers from Wenger’s side.

Wenger has already admitted he would rather Sanchez join one of their rivals for free at the end of next season when his contract expires than sell him to the likes of City and Chelsea this summer, but it would be a surprise if the Gunners turned down the chance to make in excess of £40m.

However, Arsenal need to sort Sanchez’s future sooner rather than later as it is slowing their progress in the transfer window, and Guardiola is ready to be patient in a deal to land his No.1 target rather than splashing out on Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Chelsea and Bayern Munich are also interested in Sanchez but City are reportedly confident that the Chile international, who is currently away at the Confederations Cup, will pick a reunion with Guardiola if he is free to leave Arsenal this summer.

Only Eden Hazard (7.81) garnered a higher WhoScored in the Premier League last season than Sanchez (7.76).

For more stats on Alexis Sanchez, click here to visit his WhoScored player page