Guillem Balague: 'Manchester City playing risky game with Alexis Sanchez'

Respected Spanish journalist Guillem Balague has claimed that Manchester City are playing 'a risky game' in their pursuit of Arsenal attacker Alexis Sanchez after news that Manchester United have joined the race. 

 City were expected to have a fairly free run at the Chilean international, but reports on Thursday have claimed that their bitter rivals United have made their interest apparent. Balague has claimed that it will be up to Arsenal and Sanchez to decide what route to take, but City's unwillingness to offer more than £20m could put United in the driving seat. "On Sanchez.

 After both Manchester clubs made offer, all up to Arsenal and player," Balague tweeted. "Right now, City don't want to offer more than £20m and are convinced player wants to be with Pep, so will wait to the summer otherwise. Risky strategy if United offer huge figures to both club/player." Sanchez has turned down the chance to sign a new contract at Arsenal, and he will be a free agent at the end of June. 

With Manchester City reportedly willing to wait to sign Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez on a free transfer, Guillem Balague believes they may be leaving the door open for Manchester United. Pep Guardiola has a long-standing interest in bringing the Chilean international to the Eithad, after the pair worked together at Barcelona. 

However, with the club failing to get a deal for Sanchez over the line last summer, all eyes have been on City this month to see if another bid was forthcoming. Embed from Getty Images It’s understood City are understandably reluctant to offer more than £20 million for a player in January, who could easily swap clubs at the end of the season for free. Although, with United equally keen to bring in Sanchez, La Liga expert Balague believes City could pay the price for their refusal to front the cash this month: 

On Sanchez. After both Manchester clubs made offer, all up to Arsenal and player. Right now, City don’t want to offer more than £20 and are convinced player wants to be with Pep, so will wait to the summer otherwise. Risky strategy if United offer huge figures to both club/player Pic.twitter.com/3mnmf9gbo6 — Guillem Balague (@guillembalague) January 11, 2018 Despite the speculation surrounding Sanchez’s future and his potential suitors, Wenger remains adamant that he wants the 29-year-old to extend his stay in north London