Manchester City are preparing an opening offer for Alexis Sanchez after entering into talks with Arsenal for the wantaway striker.

But Arsenal still want to secure a replacement before allowing Sanchez to leave and are holding out for up to £35 million for the Chilean, which is considerably more than the Premier League leaders have envisaged paying.

Lyon playmaker Nabil Fekir figures prominently on Arsenal’s list of potential replacements this year for Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, who is also out of contract at the end of the season.

City and Arsenal are also facing a head to head battle in their pursuit of West Bromwich Albion centre-half Jonny Evans as they bid to bolster their defences.

Both clubs made contact with West Brom over the weekend after failing with bids for the former Manchester United defender last summer and they are expected to hold further talks with the struggling Midlands side over the next 48 to 72 hours.