Manchester City have made a sensational offer for Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez which would include midfielder Raheem Sterling, but the Gunners may prefer Argentine striker Sergio Aguero in the deal, Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol has claimed on Twitter.
Earlier this summer, such a move may have made sense. Arsenal had been lacking an out and out striker, a proven goal getter with a prolific record. Since then though, the club have moved to sign Alexandre Lacazzette from Lyon in a move which many hailed as a smart addition.
With Olivier Giroud still at the club, it seems unlikely that Alexis Sanchez will take up a central striking role on a regular basis if he stays, and so it hard to see exactly why the Gunners would prefer Aguero over Sterling.
Sterling would be a more like for like replacement than Aguero, filling in in wide role or even as a back-up striker. Sterling’s pace and trickery down the flanks would be the most similar option that Arsenal could get out of any potential swap deal with the Citizens.
The former Liverpool man, at 22-years-old and as a homegrown player, would undoubtedly have a greater resale value than his 29-year-old team-mate. Signed for £50 million only two years ago, the Gunners may even feel that if Sterling does not convince at the Emirates he could still be sold on for a huge fee and effectively bump up the price received for Sanchez.
However, with Arsene Wenger having placed Alexandre Lacazzette on the bench for their trip to Anfield at the weekend, he may not be fully content with the Frenchman. By bringing in Aguero, he would know that he is getting a player proven in this league and who would certainly bring goals.
Either way, it is hard to imagine that Pep Guardiola and Manchester City would be keen to shift either Sterling or Aguero. Wenger and the Gunners may well prefer Sergio Aguero, but with Sanchez able to walk away for free next summer, they are not in a strong negotiating position to be making demands.