Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has accused Manchester United and Manchester City of trying to "kill off" the competition by buying big in the transfer market.

Conte would like to bring Arsenal attacker Alexis Sanchez to Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea aren't prepared to give in to his wage demands of up to £400,000-a-week, which would make him their highest paid player.

He said: "I understand that the other teams (Manchester United and Manchester City) try to kill the other teams and to anticipate the situation. This is the real transfer market - not to wait until the last moment to buy the players.

"If you anticipate the transfer market you become stronger and you make the other team weak.

"And I have great respect for the plan of the others because everyone try to kill you."