Manchester City confident of signing £50m-rated Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez as Bayern Munich rule out move due to his age
Gunners are reluctant to sell to a Premier League rival but are resigned to losing their star man rather than lose him on a free
MANCHESTER CITY are now hot favourites to land Alexis Sanchez after Bayern Munich ruled themselves out of a move.
The Gunners are expected to demand over £50million for the 28-year-old, who is out of contract next summer.
Bayern are unwilling to splash out what would be a club-record fee on a player they deem to be too old.
Boss Carlo Ancelotti has made numerous signings this summer, none of which are older than 26.
The German club's president, Uli Hoeness, told Kicker: "I fully support what's been doing so far - it's highly satisfactory and it all makes sense. Sule, Rudy, Gnabry and Tolisso are players with huge potential for the future.
"As chairman of the supervisory board I'm very pleased with our transfer policy up till now, because it was implemented with great care.
"Everyone is talking about building a new team and how Bayern Munich's future must be shaped.
"And then Bayern does exactly that - signs young players between 20 and 22 and is criticised once again.
Man City transfer news
"But you can't build a new team with 100m Euros (£88m) transfers for 29 and 30-year-olds. That isn't a policy.
"Either we go down this road with all these young players, all getting a chance to play, or we don't go down this road."
City are now confident they can lure Sanchez to the Etihad because he wants to play for Pep Guardiola, according to the Guardian.
Arsene Wenger is resigned to losing him as he fears he will just leave on a free next summer otherwise.
The Gunners boss had a rumoured offer of £280,000 a week rejected by Sanchez.
Selling to a Premier League rival is Arsenal's nightmare scenario, but City are now clear-cut favourites.
Alexis Sanchez factfile
- Born in Tocopilla, Chile on December 19, 1988
- Began his career in Chilean club Cobreloa, breaking into the first-team after one year in 2005
- Signed for Italian club Udinese in 2006 and spent one season on loan at Colo-Colo in his home country, then another at Argentine club River Plate
- Signed for Barcleona in 2011 in a £23million deal
- Won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, Supercopa, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup during three seasons at the Nou Camp
- Signed for Arsenal in 2014 for £35million
- Won the FA Cup in 2015 and 2017, as well as the Community Shield in 2014 and 2015
- Claimed the Cop America Cup in 2015 and 2016
- Named PFA Fans' Player of the Year in 2015
Guardiola hopes a reunion with his former Barcelona ace will help him form a fearsome attack to challenge for the Prem and Champions League next season.
Sanchez was Arsenal's top scorer last term with 24 league goals.
Reports earlier this week suggested City could offer Sergio Aguero as part of a swap deal for the Chile star, who scored in the penalty shootout to help fire his team into the Confederations Cup final last night.
Arsenal have launched a £35m bid for Monaco winger Thomas Lemar as they line up Sanchez's replacement.
An initial £28m offer was rejected but the Ligue 1 champions are giving serious consideration to their improved bid.
Wenger is also closing in on a club record £57m move for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette.
