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Udinese claim City lead chase for Sanchez

SOCCER: UDINESE OWNER Gianpaolo Pozzo claims Manchester City are the favourites to land Alexis Sanchez.

Mon Jun 27 2011 - 01:00

SOCCER:UDINESE OWNER Gianpaolo Pozzo claims Manchester City are the favourites to land Alexis Sanchez.

It appeared the Premier League outfit had been overtaken in the race for the Chilean’s signature by Barcelona.

Udinese, though, believe Manchester City are the club most likely to put together a package capable of landing the highly-rated 22-year-old.

At the moment, City are reluctant to meet Sanchez’s €49 million valuation, with Roberto Mancini hoping to strike a deal closer to €33.5 million.

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Udinese are prepared to stand firm in the transfer market and ensure that they get the best possible price, but Pozzo concedes that there is little the Serie A outfit can do if City present a suitable offer. He said: “If he was to leave, I would say that City have the highest probability of success.”

Should City make their move, they will hope to have an agreement in place by the time Sanchez takes in his first game for Chile at the Copa America on July 4th.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp admits he will have to offload a number of players before he can spend this summer.

Redknapp is working with one of the Premier League’s biggest squads, meaning his hands are tied in the transfer market.

He has been informed by the club’s board that any moves for further fresh faces will need to be funded by sales.

With Spurs looking to break back into the top four next season and secure Champions League football once more, it is expected that they will look to bring in new recruits.

There will, however, be plenty of movement towards the White Hart Lane exits before any arrivals are welcomed on board.

Redknapp said: “There is nothing happening in the transfer market. I need to sell four or five players to bring in funds.

“The chairman has made it clear we need to move a few players before we can start doing any business. “I keep seeing us linked with this player and that, but unless we reduce our squad numbers we will stay quiet in the market.”

Meanwhile, Fabio Cannavaro has no plans to slip into retirement just yet and is being linked with a move to England. The 37-year-old defender is available on a free transfer after being released by Dubai-based outfit Al-Ahli.

The World Cup winner believes he can continue competing at the highest level, though, and is preparing to return to Europe. Premier League new boys Queens Park Rangers have been touted as one possible destination.