Alexis Sanchez

[Mike J]

hopefully get this one wrapped up nice and early!!

Manchester City have already held talks about signing Alexis Sanchez, skysports.com understands.

And the future of the Chilean could be decided very soon, with reports in Italy claiming Udinese president Gino Pozzo flew to England to talk with City on Monday.

The Chilean has shone in Serie A this season with Udinese, and he is now one of the most in-demand players in Europe.

The 22-year-old has scored 12 goals this season, despite not being a striker, and the chase for him is hotting up.

Sir Alex Ferguson is a huge fan of Sanchez and has tracked him since he was a young teenager, and even before he moved to Italy in 2008.

But Ferguson looks set to push ahead with a move for Aston Villa's Ashley Young, which means a deal for Sanchez is unlikely at this stage.

That allows Manchester City to take pole position in England, with Chelsea also previously linked.

Talks
Skysports.com understands that City officials have already made one trip to Italy to talk terms over a move. and now Italian sources claim that Pozzo flew to England on Monday to meet them.

Pozzo insists that Sanchez's future will not be decided until the end of the season, but he already knows that he is almost powerless to keep the South American star.

City are willing to match Udinese's £20million-plus asking price, which has seemingly prompted Pozzo to make the trip to England.

However, in a fresh twist - the Italian media is stating that Sanchez does not want to join City - but instead would rather seal a switch to Inter Milan, who have never hidden their desire to sign him.

Barcelona have also been linked with a bid, but Italian sources insist it is now a straight fight between Inter and City.

One stumbling block for Inter, however, is that they are not willing to match City's financial offer - instead offering a number of players in exchange for Sanchez.

[Blue Blood]

hopefully get this one wrapped up nice and early!!

Manchester City have already held talks about signing Alexis Sanchez, skysports.com understands.

And the future of the Chilean could be decided very soon, with reports in Italy claiming Udinese president Gino Pozzo flew to England to talk with City on Monday.

The Chilean has shone in Serie A this season with Udinese, and he is now one of the most in-demand players in Europe.

The 22-year-old has scored 12 goals this season, despite not being a striker, and the chase for him is hotting up.

Sir Alex Ferguson is a huge fan of Sanchez and has tracked him since he was a young teenager, and even before he moved to Italy in 2008.

But Ferguson looks set to push ahead with a move for Aston Villa's Ashley Young, which means a deal for Sanchez is unlikely at this stage.

That allows Manchester City to take pole position in England, with Chelsea also previously linked.

Talks
Skysports.com understands that City officials have already made one trip to Italy to talk terms over a move. and now Italian sources claim that Pozzo flew to England on Monday to meet them.

Pozzo insists that Sanchez's future will not be decided until the end of the season, but he already knows that he is almost powerless to keep the South American star.

City are willing to match Udinese's £20million-plus asking price, which has seemingly prompted Pozzo to make the trip to England.

However, in a fresh twist - the Italian media is stating that Sanchez does not want to join City - but instead would rather seal a switch to Inter Milan, who have never hidden their desire to sign him.

Barcelona have also been linked with a bid, but Italian sources insist it is now a straight fight between Inter and City.

One stumbling block for Inter, however, is that they are not willing to match City's financial offer - instead offering a number of players in exchange for Sanchez.

Fingers Crossed.

I'd love this one to come off. We lack a player like him massively.

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Never really seen much of him but a quick look on Youtube and i found this, he looks a really good player.

[youtube]7XktUKZ1ONQ&feature=related[/youtube]

[the_georgian_genius]

Never seem him play so do not know what to expect.

[KinkyKinkladze]

Rumours have been all over twitter the past few days that he's going to the rags.

[marvin]

Looks quick, and skilful

But the Italian League is not strong at the moment. I remember watching videos of Kolarov in Serie A and thinking we've got to sign him

I think Kolarov is doing Ok at the moment, but there's a big difference between Serie A and the premiership.

Robinho is joint top scorer for Champions AC Milan yet Spurs knocked them out and Inter

[avoidconfusion]

Looks quick, and skilful

But the Italian League is not strong at the moment. I remember watching videos of Kolarov in Serie A and thinking we've got to sign him

I think Kolarov is doing Ok at the moment, but there's a big difference between Serie A and the premiership.

Robinho is joint top scorer for Champions AC Milan yet Spurs knocked them out and Inter

Sanchez was outstanding at the World Cup too. Really, really class player imho.

That goal at 3:08 in the Video is just sublime.

[DoomMerchant]

Looks quick, and skilful

But the Italian League is not strong at the moment. I remember watching videos of Kolarov in Serie A and thinking we've got to sign him

I think Kolarov is doing Ok at the moment, but there's a big difference between Serie A and the premiership.

Robinho is joint top scorer for Champions AC Milan yet Spurs knocked them out and Inter

to be fair Robinho scored some goals for us when he was playing...he wasn't lacking in that dept when we were playing a free flowing football under Hughes with little defensive focus. He's said he wasn't made for English footy and he is right.

i think Sanchez is a different kettle of fish. he looked good in the WC this summer with Chile. i liked him. Then again i thought the same of JB.

cheers

[Ted Hughes]

Prone to overplaying but I'm sure he'll get better & better & can play all over the front, so we can continue to develop the idea of having attacking players who interchange positions. Could play wide in a 4-4-2 if needed.

If only Tevez could stay, we could be very special next season.

[roblues]

Played well in the World Cup, looks good on Youtube...normally I would just be getting excited, but I have prior knowledge of this guy. Signed him on a free for Rochdale on FM2006 and sold him for £28 million to Chelsea.

Seriously though, he definitely looks like he can contribute and we have signalled our intent early, just like with Silva last year, so he could be a very exciting signing.

[Sideshow Bob]

I've followed Udinese for several years, being a huge fan of Di Natale and Sanchez. From everything I've seen of Sanchez, I am 100% confident he'll be a success in the PL. Yes, he does try to do too much sometimes, but Mancini will fix that quickly, just as he's done with Mario and AJ. Having Sanchez and Silva in the same team would be unfuckingbelieavable. I could see them becoming like Xavi and Iniesta.

Edit: btw, I've always wondered why Di Natale hasn't attracted more interest. He's old but still at his peak.

[ashton287]

So am i the only one who thinks he looks and plays like henandez then????

Not really a bad thing.

[Dameerto]

I think he looks more like Popeye:

[ashton287]

I think he looks more like Popeye:

fucking hell you must have had that one ready to go for a while.

[Dameerto]

fucking hell you must have had that one ready to go for a while.

haha no, I was just reading the Sky article with his photo, and did a quick google.

[markuse]

Edit: btw, I've always wondered why Di Natale hasn't attracted more interest. He's old but still at his peak.

Because he's always stated that he watns to end his career in Udine, where he is loved and doesn't have to fight for a place in the starting XI.
Actually our owner Pozzo had sold him twice in the last two summers (to Juventus and to Napoli) but Totò has always rejected the transfers.

I can confirm that Alexis is the real deal, this year has really blossomed playing just behind Di Natale and more in a free role than in the past couple of years.

[Sideshow Bob]

Cheers for that Markuse. Any idea what kind of wages Di Natale is on? Also, do you believe your mgr when he says he'll not sell any star players if you secure a CL spot?

[markuse]

If I recall correctly he's on less than 1.5 mln € per year.

As for the star players:
- Inler should be gone for good to Napoli (and that's a shame since it's what we - at City - would have needed in our MF) for around 12/15 mln € - last summer Pozzo said no to a 12 mln € offer from Wenger;
- Sanchez might stay (only might), it will al depend on whether Pozzo wants to cash on him or not (Udinese is the only Italian Serie A club that runs on profits)
- Another player that may go is Asamoah (box to box MF) that interests A.C. Milan
- Zapata and Handanovic (who is imho a little stronger than Hart as of now, but is also 3 yrs older a slightly less consistent at times) should stay