Whether Manchester City sign Alexis Sanchez this week depends on how they view Raheem Sterling.According to James Robson of the Manchester Evening News, the Citizens would prefer a cash only deal to sign Sanchez from Arsenal.But the Gunners would ideally want Sterling, plus money, in exchange for the Chilean.Robson adds City may have to offer the England international if the deal is to get done.Sterling has shown an improvement in front of goal this season, scoring twice in City’s opening three Premier League matches, and it’s easy to forget that he’s still only 22.So Pep Guardiola has a decision to make. Keep Sterling and hope that he continues to progress or sign Sanchez, who would be an upgrade but is 29-years-old in December.Given the win-now attitude that Premier League managers must have these days, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Guardiola relent to Arsenal’s wish for Sterling.
Why Sanchez is 'desperate' to sign for Man City
Unlike Philippe Coutinho, Sanchez hasn’t indicated a strong desire to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer.
Arsenal denied a rumour that the forward handed in a transfer request on Monday and, the odd cryptic Instagram post aside, he simply seems prepared to run out his contract.
But Kaveh Solhekol says that isn’t the case at all. Sources have informed the Sky Sports correspondent that Sanchez is “desperate to move to Man City because he wants to win titles.”
Goal have corroborated Solhekol’s claim. They add that Sanchez told Chile teammates near the conclusion of last season that he wanted to work under Guardiola, his former manager at Barcelona.
Goal have pointed out that while Sanchez and Man City have already agreed personal terms, Arsenal don’t have much time to reach an agreement with any player City do offer, so a cash only deal appears most likely.
Talks got underway over the weekend, with Wenger’s resolve finally cracking, and Sanchez’s camp are confident that the former Barcelona man will complete a move to the Etihad before Thursday’s deadline.
Whether or not any player is included in that deal remains to be seen.
