Bayern Munich have ruled out re-entering the race to sign Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez because they believe he has already decided his next destination.
The Chilean, who is out of contract next summer, was targeted by several clubs over the summer, notably Bayern and Manchester City, though Arsenal refused to sell.
That stance is believed to have softened after Sanchez netted just once this season, and Arsene Wenger is coming around to the idea of selling his star man in January rather than lose him for nothing.
But Bayern will not return with a fresh offer, with Bayern president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge hinting that Sanchez only has hit heart set on playing for one club.
‘I think Sanchez has already decided which club [to join], so I suppose that the door will be closed in January,’ Rummenigge told Sky Germany.
‘That’s not an issue, and he is no direct substitute for Robert Lewandowski as he is not a real centre forward.’
The club Rummenigge is alluding to is most likely Manchester City, who almost pulled off a deadline day move for Sanchez but refused Arsenal’s request to include Raheem Sterling in the deal.
Sanchez scored 24 Premier League goals last season but has struggled to hit those same heights this season, only scoring late on in Arsenal’s 5-2 victory over Everton.
While Bayern may be convinced that Sanchez is destined to join Man City, Wenger – who takes Arsenal to the Etihad on Sunday – still has hope he will stay.
The Frenchman said: ‘You say everybody thinks City will come in for Alexis [in January] – I am part of everybody and I don’t think he will go. Do City need him? They have to decide that. But we need him here.’
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