Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez could complete a move to Manchester City by the end of the week after the two clubs opened talks over a deal, sources have told ESPN FC.
The Gunners have given up on trying to persuade Sanchez, 29, to sign a new contract at the Etihad Stadium, with the Chilean out of contract in the summer.
Sanchez has made it clear that he wants to join up with Guardiola at City and ESPN FC has been told that Arsenal have decided to accept a transfer fee now rather than let him leave for free at the end of his contract.
City were prepared to wait until the summer but were left with just Sergio Aguero as a recognised striker when Gabriel Jesus suffered a knee ligament injury that will rule him out for around six weeks.
Sanchez was close to joining City in the summer on transfer deadline day until Arsenal pulled the plug on a £60 million deal late in the day.
Arsenal want around £35m for him, according to sources, but City want to pay considerably less although an agreement is expected to be reached.
On Tuesday morning, Wenger tried to distance himself from reports that talks had been opened.
"I expect nothing," he said. "I'm focused on tomorrow's game [vs. Chelsea]. When solicitations happen, you respond to it. At the moment, it's very quiet."
And when probed about whether Arsenal would be willing to sell the Chile international, he said: "I have nothing to add to what I said before on that."
Meanwhile, Sanchez has reportedly fallen out with his Arsenal teammates, which could have hastened Arsene Wenger's decision to allow him to leave.
City are also considering buying a centre-back in the transfer window, with West Bromwich Albion's Jonny Evans remaining a leading option, although they could face competition from Arsenal for the Northern Ireland international -- though Wenger said they cannot match what City can offer.
