Guardiola discusses Sanchez interest; hits out at UEFA
Pep Guardiola says that Alexis Sanchez “is a player from Arsenal”, and has hit out at UEFA’s “huge mistake” in not closing the transfer window before the start of the season.
Sanchez faces an uncertain future at Arsenal, with his contract expiring next summer.
The Gunners have no reason to fear his potential Bosman exit however, and are likely to insist he stays at the club – even if they lose him for free in 12 months.
Clubs are able to sign players up until August 31, while the Premier League season begins on August 11.
City have spent the most money of any Premier League side this summer, bringing in Bernardo Silva, Ederson and Kyle Walker, while Danilo remains a target.
Full-back reinforcements are key for City this summer and at the other end of the field links to Arsenal forward Sanchez rumble on.
Guardiola was coy on a move for a player Arsene Wenger insists is staying put, but the City boss was more forthcoming when it came to his belief that the transfer window needs restructuring.
“Alexis is a player from Arsenal,” Guardiola said. “Arsene said that, it’s because he knows more than me.
“Unfortunately the market finishes the 31st (of August), I think that’s a huge mistake from UEFA.
“I think the market should finish when we start the season, it’s too long, too large.
“We are playing here with guys who maybe will not continue, or with players who are coming but are not here.
“We are playing in a situation where we don’t know exactly what is going to happen for the rest of the season, so we miss time. For all the managers.
“Hopefully in the future UEFA can think about that and the deadline will be the day we start the competition.
“And for the players I’ve said the players are of other teams so I cannot say too much. I don’t like when the other team’s managers talk about our players so for us it’s the same.”