Following the news breaking this morning that Manchester City are prepared to offer Raheem Sterling in a cash-plus-player deal for Alexis Sanchez, more rumours are now emanating regarding a potential deal that would take the Chilean from Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium.
It would seem, however, that Arsene Wenger is not interested in adding the former Liverpool winger to his squad, and would rather take another one of City's attacking options, instead.
According to The Independent, Arsenal are only willing to accept a part exchange for Sanchez is the player involved is Sergio Aguero.
Advert
Advert
The Argentinean striker has been City's top scorer for the past six seasons, finding the net 170 times in 255 appearances for the Eastlands club, helping them lift two Premier League titles and two League Cups, despite having to contend with constant injury problems during his six years in Manchester.
Could Aguero's time at City be over? If Arsenal get their way it will be. Images: PA
Advert
Sanchez, who is in the final year of his contract with Arsenal, has an asking price of £70 million, which City have been reluctant to meet, despite chasing the 28-year-old all summer. Offering Sterling, a player they parted with £49 million for two years ago, was seen as a more than reasonable makeweight by the Eastlands club, but the Gunners aren't so keen to take the former Liverpool youngster.
Instead, Arsenal have gone nuclear with their demands, asking for Aguero to make the switch from East Manchester to North London, instead of Sterling.
While the suggestion of City allowing Aguero to leave as part of a deal for another player may seem unthinkable, the Argentine isn't the automatic first choice under Pep Guardiola that he was under Manuel Pellegrini and Roberto Mancini. Guardiola benched Aguero this past weekend for the visit to Bournemouth, instead opting to start Brazilian youngster Gabriel Jesus up front, instead. Jesus promptly rewarded Guardiola's faith with City's equalising goal in a 2-1 victory.
Gabriel Jesus has hit the ground running since being introduced to City's first team. Image: PA
Advert
The introduction of Jesus to City's starting line-ups since his arrival at the turn of the year, coupled with Pep's determination to add Sanchez to his squad, perhaps underline how Aguero's influence is waning at the Etihad Stadium and could, potentially force City's hand in their pursuit of Arsenal's number seven.
(H/T The Independent)
Topics: Manchester City, Sergio Aguero, Football, Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal, Raheem Sterling
