Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has slammed a journalist after a report claimed he called Alexis Sanchez in an attempt to persuade him to move to the Etihad.
Chilean newspaper El Mercurio have reported the Spaniard made contact with the Gunner following Saturday’s 5-1 thrashing of West Ham.
Sancez put in a phenomenal performance at the London Stadium, scoring a glorious hat-trick to move Arsenal into second place in the Premier League.
However, speaking at a press conference ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League clash with Celtic, Guardiola insisted there was no truth whatsoever in the report.
“Absolutely false. The journalist is a liar,” he said. “Alexis Sanchez would fit in any team in the world. The journalist is a liar.”
PEP: (on Sanchez rumours) False. The journalist is a liar. Sanchez would fit into any side in the world. #mcfc
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 5, 2016
This is not the first time Sanchez has been linked with Manchester City with speculation over his future having heightened in recent weeks with the Chilean yet to agree a new deal with the club.
Sanchez’s current deal expires in 2018 and while Arsene Wenger remains desperate for him to stay, he is reportedly holding out for wages of £250,000-per-week.
Guardiola has previously worked with Sanchez during their time together at Barcelona and while today’s comments will be welcomed by Arsenal they are unfortunately unlikely to stop speculation over his future continuing.