Believe it or not, Alexis Sanchez is still an Arsenal player.

Few supporters would have predicted that to be the case at the start of the summer but Arsene Wenger has made it this far. The news comes in spite of the fact the Chilean will almost certainly not renew his deal at the Emirates.

And unbelievably, the Gunners are not offended by the idea of letting him go on a free next summer. They see Sanchez as so important that one last season with the forward is seen as more valuable than a transfer fee.

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Nevertheless, Manchester City have endured as the strongest and, possibly, final suitors for the 28-year-old.

Bayern Munich were believed to be the frontrunners at the start of the transfer window but baulked at Sanchez’s wage demands. Paris Saint-Germain have also shown interest yet seem to prefer a move for Kylian Mbappe.

As a result, Sanchez is well and truly in Pep Guardiola’s crosshair. Furthermore, depending on your trust for Chilean newspapers, City have already lodged a £45 million bid for the forward.

Either way, though, Arsenal’s enthusiasm to keep Sanchez on for one more year is complicating the matter. It may necessitate a truly spectacular bid from the Citizens if they are to secure their man.

According to the Mirror, they are planning exactly that as their final offer for Arsenal this summer.

Manchester City are plotting a £70 million approach as means of breaking the Gunners’ resolve. This is in spite of the fact Arsenal may also place a bid of their own in the form of a £300,000-a-week contract.

At this stage of the window, not only would City’s approach prove last ditch but dramatic enough to prompt a swiftly reply from Arsenal.

The deal would raise the club’s spending to a staggering £250 million. It would be enough for City to smash Real Madrid’s 2009 record for spending in a single transfer window.

With Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus and endless wingers already adorning the City squad roster, Sanchez’s arrival would give them a dazzlingly good attack.

Guardiola could expect nothing short of the Premier League title with his club backing him to unbridled extent. And the determination is such that City want their man now, even if he could be a free transfer next year.

Watch this space.

Do you think Arsenal should keep Sanchez for one last season or cash in? Let us know by leaving a comment below.