The crucial factor that has placed Sanchez one step away from City

A host of suitors have gathered at the feet of Alexis Sanchez, who plans to leave the Emirates as soon as he is allowed to. The Chilean, who is one of the few potential January signings elegible to feature in the Champions League, has his heart set on Manchester.

Pep Guardiola did everything in his power to land the forward last summer, but Arsene Wenger stood in the way when Arsenal failed to find an apt replacement. The Frenchman persuaded Sanchez to remain in north London.

With the January transfer window now open, Alexis Sanchez is again determined to realise his dream move to the Premier League leaders. He seems closer than ever to completing the switch.

The reason for this is the severe injury sustained by Gabriel Jesus which will keep him sidelined for at least six weeks. This has prompted City to step up talks with the Chilean to sign him in January, rather than wait to get him on a free in the summer.

Guardiola has plenty of firepower up front with Sane, Sterling or Aguero, but he wants an alternative so that he can rest the latter and rotate his squad. Wenger has so far refused to let Sanchez go, but the prospect of losing him on a free in June could see the Arsenal boss finally cave to City's insistence.