Manchester City have reportedly made their first attempt of the January transfer window to lure Alexis Sanchez away from Arsenal by offering £20m for the forward.

The Citizens went as high as £55m with their approach in the summer, which the Gunners initially accepted before pulling out of a deal on deadline day.

City boss Pep Guardiola initially considered delaying a fresh move until the end of the campaign, when Sanchez will be available for free, but reports in recent days suggest that the Catalan is unwilling to wait until then.

According to The Guardian, the ball is now back in Arsenal's court as the Premier League leaders have made a formal bid, but it is expected to fall short of the Gunners' asking price.

Sanchez, whose form has dropped off in 2017-18 following the summer uncertainty over his future, is said to have already agreed a contract worth £250,000 a week at the Etihad Stadium.