Arsenal are ready to sell Alexis Sanchez this month if they receive a satisfactory bid from Man City, and have identified Bordeaux forward Malcom as their first choice replacement.

City have already bid £20m but the Gunners are holding out for more, and the two clubs are in talks without having yet agreed a fee.

The other issue is replacing him and his goals, and the 20 year old Brazilian appears to be the man they want. So far this season he’s scored 7 times and provided 5 assists in 21 appearances for the Ligue 1 side.

The news comes via the BBC’s David Ornstein who Tweeted the information this evening.

As reported by others, Alexis Sanchez will leave Arsenal this month if suitable offer made + replacement secured. Hierarchy accept/expect it, conversations continue with Man City. #AFC wanted £35m, #MCFC £20m, possible compromise £25-30m. 1st choice replacement Bordeaux’s Malcom pic.twitter.com/lZtS98ocqk — David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) January 11, 2018

Interestingly, there’s no mention whatsoever of a Man United bid, reported earlier by the Guardian, probably because the likelihood of Sanchez going there is so slim as to be not worth bothering with.

With Francis Coquelin having moved to Valencia, and Theo Walcott another potential departure, it looks as if this is going be a busy month in terms of transfers.