Manchester City have ended their interest in Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez.

The Citizens brass feel that the potential deal has become too expensive for a player who will be available for free in the summer.

Sky Sports report that Pep Guardiola held talks with City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak on Monday and the pair agreed the Alexis deal had become excessive.

City would have to make the Chilean their highest paid player if they wanted to match Manchester United's reported offer of £350,000-a-week.

It seems ridiculous that a club with the financial backing like City have given up on a deal because of wages.

However, given their stranglehold on the Premier League table, and the imminent return of Gabriel Jesus from injury, they have found it hard to justify spending an exorbitant amount of money on a player that they don't need and one that could potentially upset the balance of a successful squad.

Despite United's interest, City are confident Sanchez would elect to move to the Etihad rather than Old Trafford.