Manchester City are top of the league, flying in Europe and scoring goals for fun... so, just why would they break the bank for Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez?

  • Manchester City are top of the Premier League and have amassed 35 goals 
  • However, they are reliant on just two strikers — Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero
  • Pep Guardiola's side started in a similar fashion last year but burnt out
  • They had a bid accepted for Alexis Sanchez in summer before deal fell through
  • City could be tempted to go back in for Chilean, but Arsenal may not sell him

When those of a blue persuasion gather in the boozers of east Manchester ahead of Sunday's visit of Arsenal, the topic of conversation may well revolve around a man set to line up against their team at the Etihad Stadium — Alexis Sanchez

Or more specifically, why on earth would Manchester City want to bring the Gunners forward to the club in January? 

It is safe to say that things are going rather well at the moment for Pep Guardiola and his followers. They are top of the Premier League by five points and have scored a staggering 35 goals — 12 more than anyone else.

Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez could well be on the radar again for Manchester City come January

On Wednesday night they put four past Napoli in their own cauldron, a feat not managed by another visitor to the Stadio San Paolo since Lazio in an end-of-season Serie A match in 2015. 


As those punters muse over their pints, they may be declaring that the Catalan should be looking at strengthening at the back, rather than the front, based on the evidence of the season so far. It is hard to disagree. 

City have an abundance of attacking riches. Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus. It goes on. 

However, the fact remains that of the thrilling list, only Aguero and Jesus can be viewed as specialist strikers following the summer departure of Kelechi Iheanacho.

Two strikers — you would do well to find another Premier League squad with that number. It is a point not lost on Guardiola and his staff, or those who have been at the club for a number of years. 

City have gone through the season with just two strikers, albeit both of them in prolific form 

In 2012, when City won the Premier League for the first time, Roberto Mancini had four strikers in his squad. Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko. In 2014, when Manuel Pellegrini repeated the trick, he also had a quartet. This time, Aguero and Dzeko were joined by Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic. 

At his press conferences in recent weeks, Guardiola has been at pains to pour cold water on claims that this could be the greatest team in the league's history. 

When not laughing about questions over the prospect of an unbeaten season, he is quick to point out the parallels with last year, when his side started like a train before running out of energy and veering off the tracks. 

This squad is better equipped in most areas to ensure that does not happen this time around, but Guardiola is a man who prepares for all situations and he knows that his strikeforce needs boosting. 

It remains to be seen whether Arsene Wenger would be willing to let the Chilean leave 

It remains to be seen whether Arsene Wenger would be willing to let the Chilean leave 

If one of Aguero or Jesus get injured, with the notoriously busy months of February and March on the horizon, that explosive start could quickly be extinguished. 

The fact that Sanchez will be eligible for the Champions League, thanks to Arsenal's failure to qualify, is another factor. 

Despite all of the above, it should not be assumed that City are definitely going to return for the Chilean, although it is very likely. 

Sportsmail understands that no final decision has yet been made at the Etihad. 

The memory of what happened on deadline day is still fresh, namely that Arsenal conditionally accepted a bid but were unable to land Thomas Lemar. The transfer collapsed, leaving those in Manchester stunned that their counterparts in London had not done their due diligence on their own target.

City have an abundance of attackers, but Gabriel Jesus is one of only two recognised strikers

City have an abundance of attackers, but Gabriel Jesus is one of only two recognised strikers

Leroy Sane has been in fine form for City but has been contributing goals from a wide area 

Leroy Sane has been in fine form for City but has been contributing goals from a wide area 

It would appear that Arsene Wenger has shifted his stance somewhat. Sanchez has not signed a new contract and is free to speak to other clubs on January 1 with a view to signing a pre-contract agreement which would see him depart the Emirates on a free. 

The player is understood to want a reunion with Guardiola, whom he played under at Barcelona. The small subject of his wage demands is also not thought to be a problem. 

Should City return, it is likely to be with a bid lower than the £55million plus £5m add-ons agreed in August, although there are some who believe Guardiola is so determined to land his man that the same offer will stand at the turn of the year. That is a difficult one to see. City are in the box seat. 

Their summer rivals for the Sanchez signature, Paris Saint-Germain, landed Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. You would imagine, if the Parisians are to pay any attention to Financial Fair Play, that they will be looking at selling, rather than buying in the next window.

Pep Guardiola is aware he may need to bring in reinforcements up top to avoid a collapse

Pep Guardiola is aware he may need to bring in reinforcements up top to avoid a collapse

The biggest obstacle will be Wenger and Arsenal's position. Sanchez's departure, while not new news, is still something which will add to the already considerable unrest among the ranks in north London.

Having said that, you would imagine that even the most blinkered of Arsenal supporters would see the logic in cashing in on a player who turns 29 in December rather than seeing him go for nothing at the end of the year.

Guardiola will be monitoring developments. The coach is into his music and has, on more than one occasion, confessed his love for Oasis.

In March, hip hop legends De La Soul played at Manchester's Albert Hall, close to Guardiola's city centre apartment. Had he made the short walk down Deansgate, he may have nodded in agreement as they lauded three as the magic number.