Manchester City Transfer News: Top Alexis Sanchez Rumours, Benjamin Mendy Boost

Arsenal have reportedly relaxed their stance on Manchester City target Alexis Sanchez's position at the club and would be prepared to sell for the right price. Meanwhile, Benjamin Mendy is said to have agreed a move to the Etihad Stadium.

According to BBC Sport (h/t Metro), the Gunners have decided that a signal of Sanchez's desire to leave, along with an acceptable transfer fee, would be enough to convince the club to cash in this summer.

The north Londoners risk losing the Chile international for free next summer if they choose to keep Sanchez for the final year of his contract, and the Citizens would be happy to talk over a deal if it meant landing the former Barcelona winger.

That being said, BBC Sport's David Ornstein did later point out Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is under no impression his talisman will be leaving the Emirates Stadium anytime soon:

Sanchez's motivation to win major titles combined with the kind of talent that's sure to attract suitors has seen City looking in the direction of north London, but manager Pep Guardiola may struggle to beat the competition to a deal.

That's because, as the Independent's Ed Malyon recently put it during an appearance on Radio 5 live Sport, the Gunners "really, really, really don't want to strengthen a Premier League rival":

Metro also provided recent quotes from Sanchez, who is preparing to face Germany in the 2017 Confederations Cup final on July 2. When asked if he knew where his future rests, the forward said: "Yes, it's clear. But I can't tell you."

One powerhouse who can be ruled out of the race is Bayern Munich, it seems, and after being closely linked with a move for Sanchez earlier this summer, coach Carlo Ancelotti moved to quieten gossip, per German outlet DW Sports:

Elsewhere, French newspaper L'Equipe (h/t Stuart Brennan of Manchester Evening News) reported Mendy could be the latest to join Monaco's summer exodus after informing the club he wants to leave.

Guardiola will take pleasure in hearing the left-back also has the Etihad picked out as his preferred destination, although Sport Witness also cited the report and noted the matter of a fee is yet to be concluded:

Metro added that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp already spoke to the France international this summer and Chelsea also raised a late bid for his services.

Monaco are thought to be seeking a fee as high as £39 million in order to sell their defender, but after splashing more than £75 million to sign Bernardo Silva and Ederson this summer, City look ready to cover the expense.