Alexis Sanchez AXED from Arsenal squad to face Bournemouth as exit looms

Sanchez has always been linked with Manchester City, which would mean a reunion with his former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, but reports emerged on Thursday that Manchester United were also interested.

Sanchez did not travel with the Arsenal squad to Bournemouth with the player's contract due to expire this summer.

The Chile worldwide has refused to sign a new Arsenal contract with his current deal expiring in the summer, and United and City are reportedly both keen on recruiting him this month.

According to ESPN, City are ready to walk away from a deal basically because they want to pay £20 million, while Arsenal want £35 million.

If Sanchez is sold, Arsenal will be in the market for a new forward themselves.

The Spaniard insisted his focus is on this weekend's game against Liverpool; he even advised the media to focus on football matters rather than transfer rumours.

United is said to have presented Arsenal with a bigger offer than City, and although Mourinho claims it was not in the club's plans to sign players in January, he acknowledged that fantastic opportunities are worth pursuing whenever they present themselves. If Pep wants him again now, I'm sure he's thinking: 'I'm going to go there the second time around and do it properly this time. Arsenal will bank more cash and have a decent player in Mkhitaryan who can help compensate the loss of Sanchez and likely departure of Mesut Ozil in July.

"But in relation to Alexis Sanchez I don't say a word". No other situation or conversation. Is it me in charge or somebody else, you can only do what is best for the club.

Mislintat's first spot was young defender Konstantinos Mavropanos, who was an unused substitute for the League Cup quarterfinal first leg against Chelsea in midweek, which ended 0-0. "If somebody speaks of one of my players to tell we are interested or we are not interested, I wouldn't be very, very happy".

Mourinho added that "we believe that there are some players that if you have a chance to sign them, no matter the month, then you have to try", per football writer Chris Winterburn.

Bordeaux forward Malcolm has been mentioned as a possible Sanchez replacement for Arsenal but Wenger responded, "He's a good player, but at the moment nothing is happening".