Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 10y

City close on keeper, not in for Alexis

Manchester City have denied they are interested in signing Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona but are on the verge of bringing in Malaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero, sources told ESPN FC.

- Caballero hints at Manchester City move
- Mooney: Pellegrini still tinkering

The Premier League champions had been linked with the Chilean winger, who is expected to be surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp when Barcelona sign Luis Suarez.

But although Liverpool and Arsenal are competing to sign Sanchez, City are adamant they are not trying to recruit the former Udinese player.

City can choose from David Silva, Samir Nasri, Jesus Navas and James Milner on the flanks and have other priorities in the transfer market.

And Caballero is set to arrive for a reported fee of six million pounds, with a deal expected to be concluded imminently.

The 32-year-old Argentine played for City manager Manuel Pellegrini during his time in charge of Malaga and is set to replace Costel Pantilimon, who was released at the end of last season.

Caballero helped Malaga finish fourth in La Liga and reach the last eight of the Champions League during Pellegrini's reign.

The Spanish club made an attempt to keep him, with president Abdullah Al Thani writing on Twitter: "Willy Caballero is NOT for sale. I am sure he's happy at Malaga CF. We didn't get any official letter from Manchester City to buy Willy.

"Me as a chairman of Malaga CF I would never let him go. He has been the best goalkeeper in those whole three years . I mentioned previously that we can't keep him if he wants to leave and the end it is his decision."

Caballero himself posted a Twitter message to Malaga supporters, reading: "I am reading all that you write to me. I appreciate it from the heart. But I am not going to say goodbye from there. I hope to be able to do it in the right way."

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