Manchester City is prepared to risk missing out on Alexis Sanchez – possibly to Manchester United – rather than pay Arsenal’s £35m asking price.
It is also understood Sanchez’s agent wants £5m for his part in the deal, taking the overall tally to £40m – double what City are willing to pay.
Sanchez, 29, will leave the Gunners in January if a suitable offer arrives and a replacement is secured.
United boss Jose Mourinho said Sanchez is a “phenomenal player” on Friday.
“Sanchez is an Arsenal player,” Mourinho added. “I don’t know but probably this weekend he is going to defend Arsenal colours, so I don’t think it’s correct to say things about Alexis Sanchez.
“Myself and the Manchester United board and owners, we don’t believe a lot in the January market. We don’t believe in signing a player just to sign a player.
“What we believe is there are some players in the football world, if you have the chance to sign them in January, March or July, you have to try. And that’s it.”
French side Paris St-Germain have also been linked with the Chile forward but Sanchez’s preference is to join Manchester City.
However, given Gabriel Jesus’ knee injury is now not as bad as initially feared – City boss Pep Guardiola said on Thursday, the Brazil forward could be back in action “in two or three weeks” – the club does not view such a huge outlay on a player who would be available for nothing in the summer as being worthwhile.
The city also feels the player is determined to leave Arsenal to come what may this month, so their stance could lead to him joining a rival club.
Guardiola would not be drawn on his interest in Sanchez at Friday’s news conference before their trip to Liverpool on Sunday.
He said: “I don’t answer. I understand the question, you do your job, you know my answer. I’m focused on Liverpool.”
