City pull out of Sanchez race

Posted Thursday, June 30, 2011 by The Sun

MANCHESTER CITY have pulled out of the race to sign Udinese star Alexis Sanchez.

The Chile international is one of the hottest properties in Europe and is also being chased by Barcelona.

Udinese value the winger at over £40million but so far, City and the European Champions have failed to match that sum.

And Eastlands boss Roberto Martinez has now turned his attention to other targets after claiming he has gone cold on the idea of buying the 22-year-old.

He said: "I have spoken to Sanchez and he told me that he was available to join us.

"However, we then ended our interest. We pulled out of the race to sign the Chilean after our last offer was tabled."

However, City sources have indicated to SunSport that their bid is still on the table, although they fear they will miss out to Barca.

Meanwhile, Mancini also confirmed Emmanuel Adebayor's Eastlands career is over.

The Togo striker spent the last six months of the season on loan at Real Madrid after falling out with Mancini and the arrival of Edin Dzeko in January.

But despite the futures of fellow City forwards Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli remaining in the balance, Mancini insists both men will be at the club next term.

The Italian added: "Tevez is a good player and I think he will remain at City. I have three strikers, we need another one.

"Balotelli to AC Milan? For now, certainly not, but in the future you never know."

Mancini then moved to clear up speculation surrounding his own future by revealing he intends to see out his contract at City — despite missing his homeland.

He said: "It's too soon to return to Italy. In England I'm pretty good. I don't miss Italian football, I see it on TV, but I miss Italy."