Manchester United and Manchester City will have to pay big for Udinese striker Alexis Sanchez with the Italians wanting over £44m for a player they describe as the best of his generation. Sanchez has been compared to a young Cristiano Ronaldo to give an indication of his potential and for that reason Udinese hope to make as much profit as possible.
City are reported to have lodged the highest bid for the 22-year-old, while European champions Barcelona are said to be offering a money-plus-players deal including Spain Under 21 international Jeffren.
Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo is quoted as saying in The Sun: Is £44m too much? No, it does not seem enough.
"I have no doubt that if he stayed with us for another year he would be worth even more than that.
"He's the best player of his generation.
"He is like Cristiano Ronaldo when he was 22.
"We know when we have a diamond - Alexis Sanchez is one."
