There’s a familiar tale of tug-of-war as the rumours regarding Alexis Sanchez’s future dominate the headlines.
Today’s ‘update’ claims Arsenal are unwilling to accept less than £30million for the striker.
As reported by the Daily Star’s Harry Howes (and several other outlets): “The Chilean forward’s contract expires next summer and the Gunners could look to sell him in the winter to avoid losing him for free.
“Manchester City were interested in signing him in the summer and according to The Sun, Wenger is dragging his heels on his valuation for the 28-year-old.
“He wanted to join in the summer but the two clubs could not agree a deal before the deadline and is only willing to pay £20m.
“Sanchez joined Arsenal from Barcelona three years ago and has established himself as one of their key players, but failure to qualify for this season’s Champions League made him reconsider his future.”
According to the piece, City source said: “Arsenal are not blinking yet on Alexis. We will only pay £20m for him in January.
“Arsenal are still sending the message that they want over £30m. Something has to give either way.
“Pep thinks he could prove the difference between Premier and Champions League success and failure.
“Sanchez still wants the move from what we understand. We feel we have some leverage right now.”
Elsewhere, TalkSPORT believe City scouts were sent to Italy this week to monitor Lazio sensation Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Their article reads: “The 22-year-old has been attracting plenty of interest of late with a move to the Premier League in the offing.
“Both Liverpool and Manchester City have been closely tracking the Serbia international’s progress and are ready to submit January offers.
“And, according to TMW, City scouts were in attendance to watch Milinkovic-Savic in action as Lazio beat Bologna in Serie A.”
Finally, away from the speculation, the Manchester Evening News run a feature on Gabriel Jesus’ impressive goalscoring form.
Stuart Brennan explains: “Gabriel Jesus has racked up a remarkable milestone … by hitting the 50-goal mark faster than scoring machines Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“The Manchester City hitman reached his half-century of senior goals with his Champions League decider against Napoli, his 50 goal in 118 senior appearances for Palmeiras, City and Brazil.
“And that means Jesus reached that personal tally six games faster than Argentina ace Messi – and nearly TWICE as fast as Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo.
“Jesus scored 28 goals for Palmeiras, who he helped to the Brazilian championship in 2016, and has bagged seven for Brazil and 15 for the Blues to reach his 50 in remarkable time.
“Messi hit his 50 goal in his 124 appearance for club and country, scoring in a 5-1 win over Levante in February 2008.
“Ronaldo took much longer to tot up that number for Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United and Portugal, not hitting his half-century until his 221 appearance, when the Reds beat Portsmouth in November 2006.
“Jesus has excited football pundits on both sides of the Atlantic since bursting onto the scene at Palmeiras, where he scored his first senior goal as an 18-year-old.
“And if he plays for City at West Brom on Saturday, and the team avoids defeat, he will have gone a whole year without tasting defeat.
“His last defeat came on October 29, 2016 when Palmeiras lost 1-0 at Santos.
“He did miss thee months of last season with a broken foot, but his run still stretches to 35 competitive games for City and Brazil – his only actual defeat came in a friendly international against Argentina in the summer.”
