As we near the deadline day, some of the last minute deals might take us by surprise. There is no shortage of bizarre deals on the last day of the transfer window.
According to reports, City have upped the ante to sign Alexis Sanchez. Pep Guardiola is reportedly offering £30 million in addition to Raheem Sterling to secure the services of the Chilean frontman.
City have been linked with Alexis Sanchez throughout the summer and it is a known fact that Pep admires the former Barcelona forward.
Guardiola has time and again raised concerns over the side’s lack of clinical finishing. City have scored from just 16 % of their shots last season and it is one of the major reasons behind City’s failed attempt to win the League.
Alexis Sanchez could solve that problem. The 29-year-old scored 72 goals in all competitions in 144 appearances for the clubs over 3 seasons. He has also assisted a further 37 times and proven to be an extremely important player for Arsenal.
The former Udinese star has just a year left on his contract and Pep believes that could lead Arsenal to sell their key player.
In his pursuit of Sanchez, Pep has reportedly offered cash plus the young Raheem Sterling.
Sterling has not exactly lit up the stage since his high profile move from Liverpool but he has been more than decent for Manchester City.
The 22-year old has appeared 94 times for City in 2 seasons and has scored 21 times and assisted a further 28 times.
Pep has spoken highly about the England international and says if he works on his finishing then he can be a world-beater.
Far from how it might actually seem, this move if it goes through would be extremely stupid from City’s point of view. Sterling is 22 years old and has a good 9-10 years of football left in him. He was bought for £50 million and if City is offering him plus £30 million, they are technically valuing Sanchez at around 80-90 million which makes no sense. Sanchez might be on of the League’s best players but he is 29-years-old and has just a year left on his contract after which he can be snapped up for free.
In a bizarre summer, that has sent transfer records tumbling, this will not necessarily come as a shock move but it will hurt Manchester City in the long term.
Sterling has been in good touch of late rescuing City in their last two games, first with an equaliser against Everton and then with an extremely late winner against Bournemouth. He also adds to the list of homegrown players at City and they could struggle to fill that quota with quality talent without him.
While Sanchez’s arrival strengthens city for this season, Sterling’s departure could hurt City in the long run.
