Manchester City have attempted to break the impasse over Alexis Sánchez's future at Arsenal by indicating that they would be prepared to include Raheem Sterling in a deal for the Chilean forward.
Sterling, who joined City in 2015 from Liverpool for a British record transfer fee of £49m, has been offered to Arsenal in part-exchange after being informed he can leave.
The England international, 22, is understood to be bemused at the decision after scoring twice in City’s three Premier League matches, but is open to the idea of moving back to London. He began his career playing for QPR’s youth team before moving to Anfield.
Sánchez, who has only one year remaining on his contract and has refused to sign an extension, has been a target for City all summer having indicated he would like to work for their manager, Pep Guardiola, once more.
Having previously seen a bid of around £50m for Sánchez turned down, with Arsène Wenger insistent that he would not be sold, it is believed that City’s latest offer includes Sterling and around £20m. Arsenal have denied receiving any official bid, although it is understood that they have held talks with City in recent days.
Sánchez was signed by Guardiola for Barcelona from Udinese in the summer of 2011 but left at the close of the following season. He is due to play for Chile against Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday having returned from injury in Arsenal’s 4-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
(Guardian service)
