Manchester City ready to make ridiculous January bid for Alexis Sanchez

Manchester City still want to sign Alexis Sanchez.

That won't come as any surprise, as Sanchez is available on a free-transfer next summer if, as expected, he doesn't agree a new contract with Arsenal. However, according to Miguel Delaney writing for The Independent, City don't want to wait until the end of the season, and are prepared to pay £50m to sign the 28-year-old in January. The Chilean forward may be a brilliant player, but even in a world of petrodollar fuelled clubs and television deals worth billions, such a fee would be surprising considering he is available for nothing in a few months. Pep Guardiola was keen on bringing Sanchez to the Etihad last summer, and the two clubs almost completed a transfer on deadline day. However, as Arsenal couldn't secure a deal for Thomas Lemar from Monaco, negotiations broke down and Sanchez remained in north London.

"Guardiola is said by sources to feel that the unbeaten Premier League leaders can do a double of domestic title and Champions League this season, so wants to press home with the purchase and add real strength in depth to his squad to seize the opportunity."

Arsenal reportedly still don't want to sell Sanchez without having a replacement lined-up, even if it means losing him for nothing next summer.