Bravo would welcome Sanchez "with open arms"

Claudio Bravo says Manchester City would welcome Alexis Sanchez "with open arms" should the Chile forward decide to leave Arsenal.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says the wantaway 28-year-old, who is out of contract at the Emirates at the end of next season, will not be sold this summer.

Sanchez was expected back in training on Sunday after an extended break following Chile's Confederations Cup campaign, although the former Barcelona forward has since posted on Instagram that he is suffering from flu.

"If he decides to go, we'll wait for him with open arms at City," Bravo told 24 Horas.

Bravo, who is likely to be second choice at City following the £34.7m signing of Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson from Benfica in June, hopes to have caught manager Pep Guardiola's eye with his performances for Chile at the Confederations Cup.

The 34-year-old made three penalty saves in the semi-final shoot-out victory over Portugal, although Chile eventually went down 1-0 in the final to Germany.

"I went to Russia almost with the idea of not taking part because I wasn't in good condition," he said.

"I competed for my team-mates, who wanted me to play, and because I wanted to reverse the situation of not having had a good year."

In other City news, manager Pep Guardiola says he sees his long-term future at the Premier League club, but acknowledges that "for all the managers in the world it depends on the results."  

"I will try to remain as long as possible to help, to help City keep moving forward and stay high," the Spaniard, who signed a three-year deal with City last summer, said.

"I think the club has to work and listen to the manager in the right moment, but also take their own decisions in the future. Nobody knows what will happen."

Guardiola also confirmed that new signing Benjamin Mendy is likely to miss City's Premier League season opener at Brighton on 12 August with a thigh strain.

"Unfortunately he is a little bit injured and is not ready for the next two or three weeks," he said.

Image: Getty Images/ Claudio Reyes

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