Manchester City end Alexis Sanchez interest as Chelsea plot to rival Manchester United in move
City were not prepared to go above £20m to sign Sanchez in January and now Antonio Conte's side could test the waters with a bid also
MANCHESTER CITY have ended their interest in signing Alexis Sanchez - but Chelsea are set to rival Manchester United for the unsettled forward.
City valued the Chile star at £20million but never made a bid and were also unhappy at the £5m fee they were quoted for Sanchez's agent.
Etihad top brass have now pulled the plug on their year-long pursuit and left United in pole position to sign Sanchez.
City chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak spoke with Pep Guardiola and City execs and decided the numbers were too hot for them.
With the transfer fee, the signing on fee and the money demanded by his agent, it would have cost City more than the £60m fee they agreed with Arsenal in August.
Sanchez's wage demands had also gone up from the £275,000 a week they had agreed before the transfer window.
They would have made him the top earner at the Etihad by some distance - and they were not comfortable with letting that happen.
City were convinced that Sanchez wanted to join them - either this month or in the summer - but know he is desperate to quit Arsenal.
The Premier League leaders now accept he will move elsewhere this month - while Pep is unlikely to move for a new forward in the current transfer window.
United are prepared to pay the Gunners' full asking price of £35m.
Antonio Conte's side are however said to be unwilling to pay a £5m fee to Sanchez's agent.
Former Barcelona star Sanchez was dropped from Arsenal's defeat at Bournemouth and is likely to have played his final match for the club.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was asked if Sanchez's transfer was imminent after the 2-1 loss.
He replied: "I don't master the rhythm of that. But it could happen today, tomorrow or not at all.
"That's why I didn't select him. I didn't want to travel with him and suddenly he goes somewhere. "It will be decided in the next 48 hours.
It was a bit difficult for him because he was on standby a little bit. But he did not refuse to play."