Liverpool are third in the race to sign Premier League’s most wanted man behind rivals

Alexis Sanchez looks set to depart Arsenal within the next two weeks despite Manchester City appearing to throw his move to the Etihad Stadium into jeopardy after refusing to pay more than £20m for him this month. The Chilean has refused to sign a new deal at the Emirates and City felt they had an agreement in place to sign Sanchez this month before Manchester United revived their interest in the Arsenal playmaker.

As per Manchester Evening News

, Pep Guardiola’s runaway leaders agreed on a package with Sanchez in the summer before his deadline day move collapsed and improved their offer with a view to signing the 29-year-old in the winter transfer window.

City are reportedly pulling out of the race given the news of Gabriel Jesus’ return from a knee injury earlier than expected, which has given other clubs some hope of completing the transfer. But United touched base with Sanchez’s camp earlier in the season and reopened talks this month with the Chile international’s agent Fernando Felicevich, meaning they remain the front-runners to sign the player.

However, in a recent turn of events, Liverpool have also entered the race alongside the Manchester clubs to sign the sought-after playmaker, according to various reports. The Mirror

reports that the Reds are keen on Sanchez and believe that there is a chance to land the Chilean should there be a straight choice between them and United.

Armed with cash from the £142million sale of Philippe Coutinho, the Reds have no worries about meeting the £35m valuation that the Gunners want for Sanchez. However, the report adds that Liverpool accept they are third in the queue and the biggest issue they face is matching the wages that both Manchester clubs can pay the Chilean superstar.

City are prepared to pay around £285,000-a-week for the 29-year-old striker while United are ready to pledge over £300,000-a-week to lure the South American to Old Trafford.

Jurgen Klopp is keen to strengthen our squad this January and finish in the top four, which is our prime objective this season. We have already completed a world record deal for Virgil van Dijk and are tempted to sign a world-class player in Sanchez for such a small transfer outlay.

It would be an uphill task for Klopp and Fenway Sports Group (FSG) to persuade Sanchez to ditch the Manchester clubs for Anfield.