Jurgen Klopp questions Manchester City's reason for 'pulling out' of Alexis Sanchez chase as he talks transfers

Arsenal's Sanchez is on the verge of swapping the Emirates for Old Trafford and joining Manchester United, but only after City, previously favourites for his signature, pulled out of the race.

City are understood to have baulked at Sanchez’s £35m asking price and sizeable wage demands, particularly as the player will become a free agent when his current contract expires in the summer.

Their withdrawal, confirmed on Monday night, opened the door for rivals United to secure a deal, with out-of-favour playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan expected to move in the opposite direction.

When asked about Sanchez’s transfer on Friday, ahead of his side’s trip to Swansea City, Klopp suggested that any club with a chance to sign Sanchez should do so.

“Nothing to say about the numbers but I cannot imagine City leaves the race because of money,” the Liverpool manager said.

“It's not about money. Maybe it's because there are two opportunities in Manchester and if you think you could go to one or the other, maybe one club thinks: 'I don't want him anymore'. I'm not sure, but it's not about money.

Klopp added: “Alexis Sanchez makes sense for each team in the world because he's a fantastic player, so bring him in whenever. I think it helps, United as well.

“He's a really good player but, like I said, we are not in and that's the only thing I'm interested in. That's it.”

Meanwhile, Klopp has hinted that Liverpool will not replace Philippe Coutinho in the current transfer window, despite the enormous transfer fee Barcelona agreed for the Brazilian earlier this month.

Klopp also remained tight-lipped on the future of Daniel Sturridge, who has been linked with a January move to Sevilla having barely featured at Anfield this season. Sevilla are understood to have made Chelsea's Michy Batshuayi their top attacking target but could turn to Sturridge as an alternative.

Klopp would not discuss transfers and instead insisted he has enough talent in his current squad, and cited the return Adam Lallana from injury as a boost to his attacking line in the wake of Coutinho’s departure.

“We have a long and decisive part of the season to play,” Klopp said. ”We need all the players. We will see how it will be.

"If something jumped in my face maybe we’d think about it. First of all we have to use the high quality players we have. Lallana isn’t the replacement for Coutinho but he’s a fantastic player.”