Arsenal prepare for Sanchez January exit

LONDON - Forward Alexis Sanchez will leave Arsenal in January if a suitable offer arrives and a replacement is secured. It is understood the Gunners hierarchy have privately accepted for some weeks that Sanchez is likely to depart after three and a half years at the club. However, Arsenal are reluctant to sell without replacing the Chilean and their first choice is Bordeauxs 20-year-old Brazilian forward Malcom. Manchester City is 29-year-old Sanchezs preferred destination. Arsenal are thought to have asked for up to £35m, with Premier League leaders City initially suggesting they would pay around £20m. Sources anticipate a compromise of between £25m and £30m. Manchester United are believed to have made contact with Arsenal about a move for Sanchez in September, but it remains unclear if that interest has been renewed this month. However, it has been reported that they have made a bid. If a deal cannot be agreed with any club, Sanchez will be able to leave when his contract expires in the summer - a situation Arsenal are keen to avoid as they would receive nothing. The Chile international almost joined City for about £60m on the final day of the summer transfer window, only for the switch to collapse when Arsenal failed to sign Monaco and France midfielder Thomas Lemar. January 2018 - after the forward scores eight goals in the first half of the season, City again consider signing him with six months left on his deal It would be a coup for United over City Former Manchester United defender Phil Neville said Sanchez would be an absolutely unbelievable signing for the Old Trafford club. Responding to reports that said a £25m bid had already been made, he told Sky Sports: If you look back at Manchester Uniteds big signings over the decades, Eric Cantona came out of the hat, [Robin] van Persie was a surprise - and they both helped United win titles. I think this could have a similar impact. Hes got the character to play at Old Trafford, the ex-England international added. It would be a coup, particularly for United fans, to have a player like Sanchez come to them over City. It would be a strong statement. Its pretty obvious hes not going to stay at Arsenal. I think if United were going to buy him, £25m would be an absolute snip. Agencies