Arsenal Transfer News: Alexis Sanchez Reportedly Favours Man City over Chelsea

Manchester City are reportedly "leading the race" to sign Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez ahead of Chelsea thanks to his relationship with Pep Guardiola.

Chilean outlet Radio Cooperativa (h/t the Mirror) reported Sanchez's prior experience of working with Guardiola at Barcelona could sway him into joining City, who are prepared to pay £50 million to sign him this summer.

The Mirror added London rivals Chelsea have also been linked with a move for Sanchez.

Guardiola signed the Chilean for Barca in 2011, and they won the Copa del Rey that season. The Spaniard left the following summer.

Per ESPN FC's Mattias Karen, the pair embraced after Arsenal's recent 2-2 draw with Manchester City:

Sanchez has been Arsenal's best player this season and is their most potent weapon going forward, having racked up 18 goals and nine assists in the Premier League this term.

According to Squawka, he has also created 70 chances and completed 81 take-ons in his 29 appearances, more than any other Arsenal player.

A total of 32 tackles won also serves to demonstrate the forward's work rate, desire and determination, qualities that are perhaps at a premium in the Arsenal squad.

The Gunners' form has been largely poor since the end of January, and their only wins in February or March were against Hull City, Sutton United and Lincoln City.

Sanchez will soon enter the final year of his contract at the Emirates Stadium, but as noted by Bleacher Report UK's James McNicholas, talk of a new deal largely dried up during Arsenal's capitulation in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League:

The questions have recently resurfaced, though, and manager Arsene Wenger believes he does want to stay put, per Goal's Chris Wheatley:

Arsenal can ill afford to lose a player of his quality, not least of all to City or Chelsea.

If Sanchez were to join the former, he'd be the latest in a line of Gunners stars to join the Sky Blues following the likes of Bacary Sagna, Kolo Toure, Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri and Emmanuel Adebayor, though his transfer would be the most painful for the Emirates faithful to witness.

There would likely be an even greater outcry if he joined local rivals Chelsea.

It's imperative Arsenal secure Sanchez on a new deal as soon as possible—getting a large sum for him this year will be of little comfort to supporters, particularly if he joins a direct rival, while his departure next summer would be for free.

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