Manchester City ready officials for Arsenal star in deadline day pursuit

Manchester City have sent club officials to South America should a £70m bid for Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez be accepted, reports the Independent. 

City have been linked with a move for the Chile international for much of the window, but have only recently looked to firm up their interest in the forward. 

The club believes Arsenal’s stance on Alexis has softened in recent days and are looking to wrap up a deal for the former Barcelona star on deadline day. 

Reports this week suggested City had offered cash and Raheem Sterling for the 28-year-old, though rumours were rapidly quashed from City’s end. 

Instead they are hoping a £70m bid for Alexis will be enough to convince Arsenal to sell, even with the Gunners reluctant to allow the Chilean to depart without a replacement lined up. 

Arsenal are eager to keep Alexis, but with under 12 months to run on his deal, they know they need to cash in on the player or lose him on a free next summer. 

City have already seen a £50m bid rejected for Alexis and while Arsenal are hoping to bring in a player to replace the wantaway forward, City are looking at a cash-only deal for the player.