Alexis Sanchez doesn’t travel with Arsenal squad as Manchester United lead race to sign him

Sanchez's choice.

Alexis Sánchez has not travelled with the Arsenal team to Bournemouth for this afternoon's fixture at the Vitality Stadium, signalling his departure could come sooner rather than later. The latest development in the Alexis Sánchez saga, according to The Mirror, is that United are leading the race and are prepared to pay the Chilean a staggering £350,000 per week. It is well known that Sanchez has been angling for a move to the Etihad, hoping to go this month after a £60m summer deadline day move fell through. But City are reportedly reluctant to stump up the agent fees necessary to secure the forward's signature. Sanchez's advisers want a £15million signing-on bonus as they believe that Arsenal's asking price of £35m is relatively cheap for one of the world's best players. It also seems strange considering, without him, Arsenal's team for the trip to Bournemouth is as uninspiring as ever. Manchester United entered the race when Txiki Begiristain, City's sporting director, told Arsenal that City would like to pause negotiations, looking to old out until the summer despite Gabriel Jesus' long term injury. According to The Mirror, a City source has said:

"United are willing to pay more but the belief is that Sanchez would prefer a move to City for professional reasons."

The 29-year-old forward needs  assurances from his former coach Pep Guardiola on how much City want the player if he is to wait for his favoured move. If he doesn't feel City are keen enough, he could end up in the red side of Manchester, playing for José Mourinho. Both clubs are willing to make Sanchez their highest paid player. Now it seems down to Sanchez to decide whether he can wait six months for his favoured move to City, or if he will force his way out this month, even if that means going to United instead. What would we do without a transfer window to liven up a one-horse league title race?