Manchester City believe Claudio Bravo can help land ‘close pal’ Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez this summer in £50m deal
The Gunners ace is Pep Guardiola's top attacking target and he is looking to launch a bid this week
MANCHESTER CITY believe Claudio Bravo is key to landing Alexis Sanchez this summer as they are close pals while on international duty.
Arsene Wenger is reluctant to sell to a Premier League rival, but with a year left on his deal, an offer of £80m might persuade the Gunners to accept.
Sanchez and goalkeeper Bravo, 34, are understood to be friends and were room-mates while on Confederations Cup duty with Chile.
They also had a brief crossover spell together at Barcelona, before Sanchez moved to Arsenal back in 2014.
A source said: “The two are close pals and spent a lot of time together while away in Russia for the Confederations Cup.
“Their families know each other as well. Wenger does not want to sell to a domestic rival, but this is not good news for him.
“Even though he is rated at £50m and is expected to leave, Arsenal do not want him to go to City and would rather sell him abroad.”
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Guardiola is desperate to link up with Sanchez again, and is willing to give him more than £300,000-a-week.
The 28-year-old is understood to be interested in leaving the Emirates this summer, with Inter Milan and Bayern Munich also interested.
A source told Chilean outlet El Mercurio: "Not having European competition of the level of the Champions League is significant for Alexis.
"He is motivated by playing in it, and winning it."
The Gunners have offered Sanchez a £275,000-a-week contract extension in the hopes of persuading him to stay.
But he is holding out for a staggering £400,000-a-week, something which Arsenal would be reluctant to do as it would break their wage structure.
Sanchez finished last season as Arsenal’s top scorer, netting 24 Premier League goals in a mammoth campaign.