Manchester City Transfer News: Fresh Rumours on Alexis Sanchez and Wilfried Bony

Arsenal have reportedly toughened their stance on outgoings this summer and will not sell Alexis Sanchez to alleged suitors Manchester City. Meanwhile, City striker Wilfried Bony is said to be drawing interest from China and France.

According to Paul Brown and David Woods of the Daily Star, neither Sanchez nor Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be permitted to leave the club for a direct rival—despite the fact both players have entered the final years of their contracts.

The Citizens have looked like the most likely party to snatch Sanchez from the Emirates Stadium if he were to move this summer, while Liverpool have been linked with a move for Oxlade-Chamberlain, per the report.

It's said manager Arsene Wenger and owner Stan Kroenke have decided to take a stand against their big-spending peers and keep their stars, although Arsenal reporter Charles Watts has warned of the dangers of allowing the saga to drag on:

City have already moved quickly to complete summer business early on, adding AS Monaco's Bernardo Silva and Benfica goalkeeper Ederson to their ranks, with Sanchez speculated to be seeking a big wage jump in north London.

The club would undoubtedly be in place to offer improved wages compared to the Gunners, although voters in a recent poll put forth by broadcaster Jim White indicated where the Chilean's priorities may lie:

An alternative report from Chilean newspaper El Mercurio suggested Sanchez has informed Arsenal of his decision to leave and intention to remain in England with City, although that seems out of his control (h/t The Sun's Anthony Chapman). 

Wenger finds himself in a difficult situation, as he weighs up whether his asset is worth keeping for the final year of his deal or whether he should sell in order to recruit a replacement now.

Squawka illustrated just how crucial he's been in attack over recent seasons:

Elsewhere, The Independent's Ed Malyon reported Chinese Super League clubs are examining City misfit Bony as a potential summer recruit, as are Ligue 1 outfit Lille.

Both Bony and his representatives are said to favour a Premier League stay for the forward, however, and the Press Association's Andy Hampson recently provided quotes from the player urging his intention to remain:

It's said there are clubs in England's top flight raising interest in the former Stoke City loanee, although Malyon wrote they would need to miss out on higher-priority targets before switching their efforts to Bony.

The Ivory Coast international could be disappointed, however, as City are reportedly prioritising the attention from China in the hopes they can recoup as much of the £28 million they paid Swansea City for his signature in 2015.