Alexis Sanchez latest: Arsenal star prepared to hand in transfer request to force move to Manchester City – reports

Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez is prepared to hand in a formal transfer request if Arsene Wenger refuses to let him join Premier League rivals Manchester City, according to reports.

The Chile international has been strongly linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium this summer as he enters the final year of his contract.

Despite refusing the offer of a contract extension at the club, Wenger has repeatedly insisted that Sanchez is going nowhere during the transfer window and even said on Sunday that he has no problem with players running down their contracts and eventually leaving the club for free.

READ MORE: He will STAY! Arsene Wenger insists Alexis Sanchez’s future is with Arsenal

However, Sanchez is said to be determined to seal a switch to City. The 28-year-old is desperate to win major titles before the end of his career and believes a reunion with former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola gives him a better chance than with the Gunners.

And, according to the Daily Mirror, Sanchez is willing to make his wish ‘official’ to force through the move.

According to the report, the 28-year-old will first personally ask Wenger if he can leave on good terms, but will then hand in a formal transfer request if Wenger remains stubborn over his future.

Sanchez has still not returned to the UK for pre-season training having taken an extended break after helping his nation to the Confederations Cup final in Russia.

He was meant to return to Arsenal last week, but that was delayed after he posted on social media that he was ‘sick’.

While many doubted the truth over his illness and suggested it could be underhand tactics to agitate for a move, Wenger confirmed on Sunday that the forward was indeed suffering from flu and has stayed in Chile while he recovers.

The boss was questioned about Sanchez’s again after seeing his side win their annual Emirates Cup pre-season tournament, and said: “He has flu yes, I had him on text yesterday.

"He will come back as soon as possible and we were in touch with him and his doctor and he has no basic problem apart from the fact that he should come back tomorrow, but he comes back on Tuesday.

"Your job [as journalists] is to be suspicious. Your job is built on mistrust and mine is built on trust. So that's why I prefer my side.

"He's flying back as soon as he's in a position to fly back. He has flu and that's a question of normally four or five days."

Asked if there had been developments over Sanchez's future, he replied: "There's no development - he is staying, of course.”

But with Sanchez set to ask Wenger to leave when he arrives back in north London, it remains to be seen whether the Frenchman can keep the forward against his wishes.