Manchester City’s failure to sign Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez will see European heavyweights join chase

Alexis Sanchez in action for Chile against Paraguay on Thursday night
Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty Images
James Olley1 September 2017

Manchester City are set to face renewed competition to sign Alexis Sanchez from a host of Europe’s top clubs after failing to agree a deal with Arsenal before the transfer deadline passed.

City were left hugely frustrated after the Gunners indicated they were willing to accept an improved £60million offer for the 28-year-old - assuming they could find a replacement.

In a frantic final few hours of the window, Arsenal made a club record £92m offer for Monaco’s Thomas Lemar only for the winger to turn down a move to Emirates Stadium.

With no time to follow up interest in Paris Saint-Germain’s Julian Draxler or any other possible targets, Arsenal cancelled their agreement-in-principle and ended talks with City, leaving Sanchez in limbo just hours before playing the full 90 minutes in Chile’s World Cup qualifier against Paraguay. They lost 3-0.

Sanchez never handed in a formal transfer request and has been praised behind the scenes at Arsenal for his on-going professionalism but he now faces the prospect of having to return to a club he thought he had left behind. While not actively forcing a move, Sanchez was desperate to join Pep Guardiola’s side and City will hope that desire can give them the edge over rival clubs who are likely to reignite their interest now no transfer fee is involved.

Under Fifa regulations, Sanchez will be free to negotiate with overseas clubs on January 1. Bayern Munich were keen - having indicated they would offer in excess of the £300,000-a-week wage on the table at Arsenal - but baulked at having to pay upwards of £50m.

Juventus and Paris Saint Germain, although the latter’s interest is complicated by complying with Uefa’s Financial Fair Play rules, also closely monitored the situation before it became clear Sanchez preferred City.

Photo: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Chelsea kept tabs on the situation but both they and City would have to make a cash offer to Arsenal in the January transfer window to buy the right to speak to Sanchez over a move.

It remains possible that Sanchez could run his deal down and leave for nothing next summer but Arsenal are expected to leave the offer of an extension on the table.

After David de Gea’s proposed move to Real Madrid collapsed in 2015, the Spaniard signed a new, improved contract 10 days later and the more optimistic figures at Arsenal will hope Sanchez follows suit.

Despite their failure to land Lemar at the 11th hour, retaining Sanchez is viewed as a victory by the Gunners, chiefly in the belief he will continue to apply himself fully - as manager Arsene Wenger has always publicly maintained he will.

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