Udinese owner reveals Manchester City are now favourites to land Barcelona target Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez – Udinese (Getty Images)

Related Links

Teams

Players

Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo has said Manchester City are now the favourites to sign Alexis Sanchez as they bid to beat Barcelona in the chase for the winger.

Barca appeared in pole position last week when the Chilean described a switch to the Camp Nou giants as a dream move, but Pozzo’s latest statement suggests they could be usurped by the English side.

Pozzo, who says he has already turned down a substantial bid, believes City’s cash could see them beat Barca to his signature despite the 22-year-old’s strong links with the Catalans, identifying the Eastlands outfit’s ability to splash the cash as a key factor.

“If Sanchez were to leave then I would give City the highest percentage to sign him as English football is rich and it knows how to value young talent,” Pozzo is quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Inter, Juventus, Barca and City are all on Sanchez, but no concrete offers reflecting the value of the player have arrived.”

Yet, without naming an exact asking price, Pozzo suggested it will take a significant increase on the previously quoted sum of €35 million (£30.85m) to land the ace.

“Thirty-five million Euros is not enough for Sanchez, we have already rejected such an offer,” Pozzo said.

“He is an important player and so we will see what happens. I spoke to Alexis and his agent and they understand I cannot give him away.

“I cannot gift my players, this is why I say he could be destined to continue with Udinese, but I know that trying to tie down a player can be dangerous.”

Despite his confirmation of an approach from Inter, Pozzo was dismissive of the San Siro club’s interest.

“I would tell president Massimo Moratti to sit down at a table, but Inter do not have any players we are interested in,” he added.

With still no offer accepted for the player, there remains a chance that Sanchez could be snapped up by Barca, though it was recently reported that the Catalan outfit’s movements will be restricted by a transfer budget of £39.7m for the summer market.