Manchester City round-up: boost in Sanchez saga; Southampton swap deal; Keita puts City on alert

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It’s been a transfer saga that looks set to rumble on all summer but it has been reported today by the Guardian that Manchester City are looking like firm favourites to sign Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez.

The latest reports suggest that the Chilean forward has expressed his desire to work with City manager Pep Guardiola – all-but ruling out the possibility of Bayern Munich making a move for him.

The potential to play under the Spaniard would signal a re-union for Sanchez and Guardiola after their time spent at Barcelona in 2011 and it’s thought this relationship could now sway his decision.

Sanchez only has one-year left on his current deal at the Emirates and, with contract negotiations stalling with Arsenal, he could be set for a £50million move that could earn him £300,000-per-week.

Although Arsene Wenger remains adamant that he doesn’t want to sell his key player to a Premier League rival he could be forced into cashing in on Sanchez before he is able to leave on a free next summer.

In other news, the The Sun have claimed this morning that Manchester City’s young forward Kelechi Iheanacho could be used as part of a swap deal that sees left-back Ryan Bertrand go the other way.

The 20-year-old forward looks set for a summer exit after a lack of first-team football at the Etihad Stadium last season and the latest reports suggest that the Saints are set to join the race to sign him.

It’s thought that – despite interest from fellow Premier League sides West Ham, Crystal Palace and Leicester City – the Citizens would be willing to use the young Nigerian to form a move for Bertrand.

An unnamed source close to Manchester City said:

“Southampton are now part of a long list of clubs that want Kelechi this summer.

“If the right offer comes in, he will go, and Ryan Bertrand is an option that has been talked about in the past. We know Saints are fans of Nacho after his performances against them in the past, he has an amazing record.”

Manchester City have named Iheanacho’s price in the region of £25million, but should they take things further with the Saints then it’s likely that a deal for Bertrand – rated at £40million – would cost £15million.

Lastly, highly-rated RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita has put Manchester City on red alert after claiming that he would only leave the German side for “one of the very big clubs” – including the Citizens.

Despite Pep Guardiola having no reported interest in the 22-year-old Guinea international so far during this summer, Keita has expressed his desire to move to one of Europe’s biggest sides next.

Speaking to German news outlet Die Welt he said:

“I love Leipzig, and I will never forget this city.

“I hope, however, that I have the level in two, three years and could play for one of the very big clubs. This includes Barcelona, but it also includes Real Madrid or Manchester City.”

The Independent claim that Liverpool have been the side showing the most interest in signing Keita this summer, but RB Leipzig are understood to be keen to keep him for another year so they can challenge Bayern Munich even closer for the Bundesliga after falling narrowly short in their pursuit last year.

It is thought that the up-and-coming talent would need an offer of around £70million before Leipzig even consider allowing him to leave the club, with Keita considered one of their prize assets.

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