Chilean superstar Alexis Sanchez wants to reunite with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City – and has told Arsenal to sell him “right now”.
Alexis’ current contract with the Gunners is set to run out in 2018 and he has refused to sign a contract extension.
The Chilean currently takes home £140,000-a-week and sources reveal that he is now playing hardball with Wenger in order to squeeze a mega-money deal out of Arsenal.
Arsenal are desperate to hold on to their star player and Wenger had earlier said that he would not sell the Chilean to a Premier Legaue club.
The Gunners had offered Sanchez a new deal – a two-year extension and a wage packet of £275,000-a-week to keep him at the club until 2020 – but the Chilean has made up his mind now and has asked the Gunners hierarchy to sell him right away.
Bayern Munich and Manchester City were at loggerheads to secure the services of Sanchez.
But the Bundesliga giants have now cooled down their interest in the Chilean leaving Manchester City in pole position to sign him this summer.
Cash-rich Ligue 1 giants PSG have also shown huge interest in the Sanchez.
Sanchez displayed incredible form last term – with 30 goals to his name in all competitions and also guided Arsenal to FA Cup triumph. And now Manchester United and Chelsea have also shown interest in securing the signatures of the Chilean this summer.
FootTheBall had earlier reported that Sanchez wants to stay in England and he prefers a move to Manchester City.
Man City are confident that a £50m offer would be enough to tempt the Gunners and if the Chilean wants to move away then it would be difficult for Arsenal to tie him down.
And now Chilean outlet El Mercurio have claimed that the forward has opted to stay in England with Man City.
A source, reported to be close to Sanchez, told the newspaper: “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.”
Sanchez is on holiday after guiding Chile to the final of the Confederations Cup, where they lost to Germany.
And a source close to the player revealed that the Chilean decided to leave the Gunners while at the tournament in Russia.
The source added: “Alexis spoke with his Chile team-mates in Russia. He explained the situation to them and he also spoke with his family.”
“Everybody came to the same conclusion: that it would be best to end his spell with Arsenal and move to City.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal have strengthened their attack by completing the signing of French striker Alexandre Lacazette form Lyon for a club record transfer fee of £52million.
Lacazette has signed a five-year contract with the Gunners on and will take home a wage packet of £150,000 a week.
The Gunners hierarchy do not want to sell Sanchez even if they lose him for free next season, but the player has made it very clear that he does not want to stay at the Emirates for another season.
The source continued: “Alexis is not willing to do that, under any circumstances. His intention is to leave right now.”