Alexis Sanchez not in Arsenal squad ahead of potential Manchester transfer

Alexis Sanchez didn’t travel with the Arsenal squad to Bournemouth and won’t feature in Sunday’s Premier League match, with Arsene Wenger describing the attacker's situation as 'vague'.

The 29-year-old is subject of a transfer tussle between Manchester United and Manchester City this month , with Pep Guardiola’s side refusing to budge on their £25 million offer for the Chilean.

Alexis looked certain to join former manager Guardiola at the Etihad this month as the two clubs negotiated details of a move, though Jose Mourinho's interest in the attacker has made the decision a slightly more difficult one for the Arsenal man.

City are said to be willing to go as high as a £20m fee and £290,000-a-week for Alexis' services, while United are reportedly offering £30m and as much as £350,000-a-week should he reject their city rivals and choose Old Trafford. 

“He's being vague at the moment, the situation is not completely decided one way or the other so I left him at home,” Wenger told Sky Sports ahead of his side's clash with Bournemouth on Sunday.

“Yes [a resolution is imminent], but don't read too much into it because even I don't know really which way it will go.”

It is understood that Arsenal will sanction the sale of Sanchez once a replacement - believed to be Bordeaux starlet Malcom - is brought in.

The Gunners are in advanced talks with the player's representatives and it’s expected that deal will go over the line before the January transfer window closes.

It has been suggested that Wenger is also keen on signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan from United in a deal which could work in the Red Devils' favour, should Alexis show an interest in signing for United.

The former Borussia Dormund forward was a target for Wenger in 2016 before he opted for a switch to United, though he has failed to establish himself under Mourinho and may be forced out of the club to find regular playing time.

Sanchez meanwhile won’t be involved in Sunday’s game amid photos revealed by Goal which showed his family arriving in London in preparation for an imminent transfer.

The Chile international was used only as a substitute last Wednesday in the Gunners' Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Chelsea, with Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi filling the attacking options in the 0-0 draw.

Arsenal have won just once from their past five outings, dropping points at West Brom and Chelsea before losing to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round.