PEP Guardiola is not willing to lose Raheem Sterling (two from the right) in an exchange agreement for Alexis Sanchez (left).
MANCHESTER: Manchester City's manager Pep Guardiola insists it will not justify Raheem Sterling accompanying Arsenal in an exchange agreement for Alexis Sanchez.
Sanchez almost certainly belonged to City, but the agreement was canceled because Arsenal failed to grab Thomas Lemar's target player rather than Monaco.
At one point, Sterling was caught would be a 'capital' exchange in the deal getting Sanchez, but Guardiola said he was not willing to lose the 22-year-old winger.
"If we start talking to Arsenal when the window is getting closer and closer, they will have Raheem," Guardiola told proclaimers.
"And they talked to me and I said: 'There is no chance even though one percent' to exchange it with Alexis because I trust Raheem.
"He's only 22 years old, an England national and has the potential to keep on improving, so the only way we can only offer money for Alexis."
City reportedly agreed with the transfer of some 60 million pounds to Sanchez, who had acted under Guardiola in Barcelona.
The 28-year-old Chilean striker's contract is due to end this season but Guardiola is definitely not exactly the same as City will keep trying to get it.
"I do not know what will happen in the middle of this season or next year," said Guardiola whose troops will receive Liverpool's visit tonight.