Manchester City transfer news: Sanchez and Evans both in Guardiola’s sights

Despite the fact Manchester City are 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League, Pep Guardiola is still keen to strengthen his vastly talented squad this month as they continue to challenge on all four fronts this season.

We round-up the biggest stories associated with Guardiola’s side over the past week.

‘Manchester City at risk of losing Sanchez to rivals United’

Manchester City have already missed out on top defensive target Virgil Van Dijk after he opted to join Liverpool at the start of the month and now Pep Guardiola is running the risk of missing out on Alexis Sanchez, claims The Guardian.

Guardiola have been the clear frontrunners for the Chile international’s signature since the end of last season and appeared to have a clear run at the Arsenal No.7 up this month until Thursday.

However, it has now emerged that Jose Mourinho is ready to hi-jack City’s move for Sanchez and even willing to offer the 29-year-old more money to snub a reunion with Guardiola.

City are adamant they will not be drawn into a bidding war with United and are so confident that Sanchez wants to move to the Etihad they would even be willing to wait until the summer to get him on a free when his Arsenal deal expires.

It remains to be seen whether United’s interest is as legitimate as being made out or whether it’s Sanchez’s agent trying to hurry City’s deal along.

In the last three Premier League campaigns, only Harry Kane (81), Romelu Lukaku (69) and Sergio Aguero (66) have scored or assisted more goals than Sanchez (61).

‘Arsenal rivalling City for Jonny Evans’

After missing out on Van Dijk, Manchester City have returned to West Brom defender Jonny Evans as Guardiola desperately looks to bolster his defensive options before the business end of the season, reports The Daily Telegraph.

City refused to match West Brom’s £30m valuation of Evans in the summer but are hopeful of concluding a deal for the former Manchester United defender this month, although face stiff competition from Arsenal.

Evans’ preference would be to remain in the North East, which would favour Guardiola’s side, but the 30-year-old recognises Arsenal’s status as one of England’s elite clubs and would not turn down the chance to join Arsene Wenger’s side.

City have already been linked with moves for La Liga duo Samuel Umtiti and Inigo Martinez, but a deal or Evans is certainly more straightforward for the Premier League leaders.

In the last three Premier League campaigns, only Simon Francis (371) and Laurent Koscielny (352) have won possession in the defensive third more times than Evans (337).