Manchester City are furious with Arsenal at the way they have dealt with the Alexis Sanchez transfer which has resulted in the forward staying at the Emirates Stadium, sources have confirmed.
The Gunners had accepted an offer of £55 million plus a further £5m in add-ons on transfer deadline day but said the deal was dependent on them finding a replacement for Sanchez.
Arsenal had hoped to clinch a club record £90m deal for Monaco winger Thomas Lemar but couldn’t get the deal completed in time meaning that Sanchez will remain at the club.
According to ESPN FC that City were surprised that Arsenal didn’t have a replacement lined up earlier having known about their interest in Sanchez since May.
City have maintained contact with the London club throughout the summer, but manager Arsene Wenger has insisted that Sanchez is not for sale.
However, that changed in the final weeks of the window and City made a £50m cash offer for Sanchez on Tuesday which was turned down. Sources also said that Arsenal asked for England international Raheem Sterling to be included in the deal, which was rejected by City.
Sanchez, 28, who is in the final year of his contract, has been a top target for manager Pep Guardiola and City are expected to return for him when he becomes a free agent at the end of the season.
There is also the potential to try to sign him when the transfer window reopens in January.
Sources also indicated the Chilean, who is in South America for Thursday’s World Cup qualifier with Paraguay, is devastated that the deal has fallen through.
