Arsenal refuse to sell Alexis Sanchez to Manchester City or Chelsea, opening door for Bayern Munich

The north London club will only consider allowing the Chilean to move abroad, with Bayern Munich his likeliest destination if he leaves

Alexis Sanchez has attracted interest from other Premier League clubs (Getty)

Arsenal remain absolutely determined to resist any Manchester City or Premier League offer for Alexis Sanchez this summer.

The north London club will only sell Sanchez abroad, meaning Bayern Munich remain his likeliest destination if he does not see out the last year of his contract at the Emirates.

With the 28-year-old’s current deal set to end in 2018, there is a growing expectation that City will bid £50m over the next week to try and test Arsenal’s position.

The London club are resolute they will not sell to a rival, however. Arsenal’s fundamental position is still that they are still trying to persuade Sanchez to sign a new deal, but that prospect looks increasingly unlikely, especially after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League.

The Independent understands that the Chilean international’s first preference had been to remain in London because he loves the city so much but, despite Chelsea’s strong interest, Arsenal are just as disinclined to sell across the capital to Stamford Bridge as they are to City.

Sources close to the club say Bayern Munich are at least seen as a palatable option if the worst comes to the worst, and a City bid could finally trigger the Bundesliga champions into a concrete move.