FOOTBALL UPDATE

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Alexis Sanchez should not be considered a "mercenary" for opting to join Manchester United rather than renewing his contract at the Emirates Stadium. Sanchez made the move to Old Trafford on Monday, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan switching the other way in a swap deal. The Chilean is reported to be earning £350,000 a week at Old Trafford, vastly in excess of Arsenal's top-earning players, having entered the last six months of his Gunners contract without penning fresh terms. Wenger previously appeared to suggest Sanchez had moved for money, citing the forward's desire to secure "his last contract" and claiming he "cannot understand" why the 29-year-old wanted to leave Arsenal. But the Frenchman appeared to row back on his comments when he spoke to the media on Tuesday ahead of his side's EFL Cup semi-final second leg at home to Chelsea. "Of course the financial aspect is important but he could combine ...

Alexis Sanchez will earn up to £60,000-a-week more if he opts for Manchester United over rivals City, claims the Sun.  Pep Guardiola is a big admirer of his former Barcelona charge, but is willing to go as high as a  £20 million fee and £290,000-a-week for his services. Not only will United gazump their neighbours by some £10m, but they are also prepared to offer as much as £350,000-a-week to land the Arsenal star in January.

Arsenal are interested in luring Riyad Mahrez to Emirates Stadium in the January window as they look for a replacement for Alexis Sanchez, according to Le Buteur.  The Chilean is keen on joining Premier League rivals Manchester City, with both clubs currently in negotiations over a deal. Arsene Wenger has identified Mahrez, who has also been linked with Liverpool, as the ideal replacement, with Leicester City looking to receive €55 million from any potential sale.

Manchester City are lining up a £35m bid for Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez. The Chile international looks set to join City on a free transfer this summer, when his contract with the Gunners expires. But the Premier League leaders are now ready to splash the cash this month in response to their injury problem and amid interest in Sanchez from French giants Paris Saint-Germain. City have lost Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus for around two months with a knee ligament injury. That leaves Sergio Aguero as Pep Guardiola’s only out-and-out striker as City compete on four fronts. PSG’s interest is another concern. With Sanchez now into the final six months of his Arsenal contract, he can already sign a pre-contract agreement with the big-spending Ligue 1 leaders. City are set to respond with a bid worth more than half the £60m they agreed with Arsenal last summer. That deal fell through when the Gunners failed to land Monaco’s Thomas Lemar as a replacement.

Pep Guardiola will be talking to the press ahead of FA Cup action. All  eyes are on the cup for Manchester City. The Blues begin their FA Cupadventure as they welcome Burnley to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. City are unbeaten in domestic competition this season and will look to continue the remarkable run against the Clarets. Guardiola will be speaking to the press later today where he is expected to be asked about any potential transfer additions in the January window. Speaking last month the Blues boss had confirmed strengthening his defence would be a priority for January. "We are thinking about it," he said. "In that department we have few, few, few players, and of course to handle all competitions we are in trouble, real trouble, but I can’t assure you anything. “With Txiki we’re going to see what will happen in January."

Alexis Sanchez helped Arsenal to victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Thursday, though Palace boss Roy Hodgson will have been pleased with his side's battling display. Palace went into the game looking to extend their eight-game unbeaten run in the Premier League and whilst they put in a spirited performance, they fell to a narrow defeat on a landmark night for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. Arsenal dominated the ball in the opening exchanges but they were unable to create any real openings. Granit Xhaka and Yohan Cabaye exchanged efforts from range, before the former saw a low effort hacked away following a cut-back from the left. Wilshere was the next to threaten with a low drive before Arsenal took the lead with 25 minutes on the clock. Palace failed to clear an Arsenal free kick and the ball fell nicely for Alexandre Lacazette to try his luck on goal. He hit a powerful effort towards the far corner and while Julian Speroni in the home goal managed to keep it...