Manchester City round-up: Bravo on Sanchez; England youngster sent on-loan; Guardiola hints at extension

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Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has fuelled speculation of Alexis Sanchez’s potential switch to the Etihad even more over the past day, claiming City will wait with ‘open arms’ for him.

During an interview with a Chilean news outlet on Thursday afternoon, the 34-year-old – who is likely to be City’s number two next season – has again talked up a move for his Chilean teammate.

Speaking to 24 Horas, Bravo said: “If he decides to go, we’ll wait for him with open arms at City.”

Arsenal’s talisman only has one year remaining on his current contract at the Emirates, with no negotiations completed as of yet, and The Guardian claimed last month he was edging closer to a City switch.

But during their pre-season tour of Asia, Arsene Wenger has come out, as per BBC Sport, and categorically denied that Sanchez will leave this summer, set to return to club training next week.

Meanwhile, reports coming from The Sun this afternoon claim that Manchester City youngster Isaac Buckley-Ricketts will be sent out on-loan to Dutch side FC Twente to gain vital first-team experience this year.

The 19-year-old winger is allegedly seen as a future first-team player at the Etihad but, after not making his main debut just yet, he will be sent to Holland to continue developing his game.

Known for his speed and agility in and around the final third, Buckley-Ricketts was part of the victorious England European Under-19 Championship side last month, beating Portugal 2-1 in the final.

Aside from transfer speculation, Pep Guardiola has given a huge hint that he’s on the verge of signing a new contract at the Etihad after claiming that he will stay at City for ‘as long as possible’.

The Spaniard has already spent £200million so far this summer on six new arrivals as he looks to invest some youth into his side, with the long-term future of the club clearly at the back of his mind.

And speaking yesterday, the Manchester Evening News reports he said: “I will try to remain as long as possible to help, to help City keep moving forward and stay high.

“I think the club has to work and listen to the manager in the right moment, but also take their own decisions in the future. Nobody knows what will happen.

“For all the managers in the world it depends on the results.”

Veteran defenders Gael Clichy, Aleksander Kolarov, Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta were all allowed to leave this summer, paving the way for new signings such as 22-year-old Benjamin Mendy.