It is understood that Sanchez’s representatives met with
City officials on Friday to thrash out personal terms for the
Chilean international. But in an unexpected twist that will cause
alarm at Eastlands, it is believed the agents then had a further
meeting, this time with United, yesterday morning.
Indeed, it is thought that the 22 year-old’s representatives
have now indicated that their client would prefer to join United if
a deal can be agreed, even though it appeared that a deal was well
advanced with their City rivals.
Neither club has yet to agree terms with Udinese, although the
Italian club have accepted that Sanchez can leave this summer and
is free to discuss a move. Personal terms are not an issue for
either Premier League club.
It had been thought Udinese would hold out for up to
£35.4 million for Sanchez, who can play as a winger or central
striker, but it is now accepted that a fee of between £18 million
and £26.5 million is more realistic.
If United have gazumped City — and it is believed that Sir Alex
Ferguson personally intervened in the hope of doing so, having also
followed the player for some time — then it will be a severe blow
to City, who regarded Sanchez as their key summer signing.
They have tracked Sanchez for months, with officials, including
football administrator Brian Marwood, travelling to Italy to
monitor his progress.
Further talks were held with his representatives three weeks ago
and since then the club have been confident that a deal was on the
verge of being completed.
Despite City’s vast spending power they will not want to get
into a tug-of-war with United over the player. United still have a
greater global appeal than City when it comes to signings, even if
the latter also qualify for the Champions League next season.
Concern at Eastlands will have been compounded by manager
Roberto Mancini’s admission last night that club captain Carlos
Tévez is likely to leave this summer.
It is understood that City would be prepared to sell Tévez but
only if a buying club meet their valuation, believed to be
£50 million.
When asked if he would fight to keep Tévez at the club, Mancini
said: “I will fight for every player who wants to stay here but –
and this is not just Carlos but others too – it is difficult to
keep a player if they don’t want to stay. It is very difficult. So
I don’t know.”
Tévez handed in a transfer request in December but withdrew it
after a meeting with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
Asked whether it would help the team focus on their goals if
Tévez clarified his situation publicly, Mancini said: “I don’t know
this. Carlos has a contract but we should wait. But I don’t know
what will happen with him.”
There are few clubs that would be able to match City’s fee and
Tévez’s wage demands.
Real Madrid and Internazionale have been reported as interested
in the player but, according to sources at City, both clubs have
given no indication that they want to sign him.
Chelsea also have a long-standing interest but are concerned
about what the deal would cost.