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Raheem Sterling

LONDON. — Manchester City have made an incredible player-plus-cash offer for Alexis Sanchez.

They have offered to put Raheem Sterling into the deal to try and sign Sanchez before tomorrow’s transfer deadline. Sanchez has reportedly asked for permission to leave the Chile international squad for 24 hours amid latest reports of a transfer bid from Manchester City.

The 28-year-old is thought to be the subject of a stunning bid from City, who are apparently offering Sterling to Arsenal as part of a deal after pursuing him all summer.

Previous reports have claimed Sanchez himself is determined to get his preferred move to the Etihad Stadium, as he is eager to be reunited with his former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola.

Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have also been linked with the South American forward, with Arsenal insisting time and time again that he would not be sold.

Arsene Wenger has made it clear he is prepared to lose him on a free next summer despite big-money offers this year, though it remains to be seen if City’s latest bid including Sterling could prove something of a game-changer.

Alexis Sanchez

Sanchez himself may be optimistic that something is finally happening, with TV13 claiming he’s requested permission to leave the Chile squad to conduct some personal business.

Arsenal have suffered a poor start to the season, with an unconvincing opening day win over Leicester City followed by a 1-0 loss to Stoke and a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool on Sunday.

Sanchez helped Arsenal to an FA Cup final victory last term, but was known to be unhappy after rejecting numerous offers of a new contract at the Emirates Stadium.

The former Barca man is now set to become a free agent at the end of the season, but seems keen to make one final push to ensure he can quit the club this summer.

Arsenal have insisted that Sanchez is not for sale even though he only has one year left on his contract. But Mirror Sport understands there has now been direct contact between the clubs — and City have made the shock offer involving Sterling.

England star Sterling has started the season well, scoring the winner at Bournemouth and equaliser against Everton.

But this will be a major surprise for Sterling as City look to shake up their squad and pull off a major deal. — The Mirror.