Football
Jonathan Smith, Manchester City correspondent 6y

Alexis Sanchez 'will add something' to Man City - Kevin De Bruyne

MANCHESTER -- Kevin De Bruyne says Alexis Sanchez will add something new to Manchester City if he completes his switch in the January transfer window.

Sources have told ESPN FC that City are close to completing a January deal for the Arsenal forward, who is out of contract in the summer. 

City stepped up their interest in the Chile international after Gabriel Jesus suffered a knee ligament injury that will rule him out for six weeks, but Sanchez can play anywhere across a front three.

"[He is] a very good player. Obviously we will see what happens in this transfer period. We don't have to take care about that anyway," De Bruyne told reporters.

"If a good player comes to us that is better; if he doesn't come we do it with the team we have. We are on a good period already, the whole season. Everybody is doing a good job. When he comes, he will add something to the team."

De Bruyne, meanwhile, says he has not yet signed a new contract although he remains relaxed about the situation.

City want to reward the Belgium midfielder with a new deal after his outstanding form, which has helped them to a 15-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

"We are still in negotiations," he said. "I am waiting for an offer from the club but my agent has been on holiday for three weeks. There is nothing really new for the moment.

"I'm not in a hurry. I still have three-and-a-half years on the contract."

Asked if he was getting a significant pay rise, he added: "Yes, OK, I cannot complain for the moment. Obviously we will see what happens. Negotiations are going good but they are going quietly. That is the way I think it should be."

City face one of their toughest tests of the season so far on Sunday when they travel to Liverpool where they have won just once in the last 35 years.

De Bruyne says he is not concerned about their past record at Anfield and says they will face Jurgen Klopp's side determined to win.

"We don't care about that [record]. It is just the way football goes," he said. "Even with our unbeaten run. We go there to win the game.

"They will have a very strong team. They want to be there for the Champions League. We just try to do the things we do good and then we will see what happens.

"We have some rest now. We have five days -- that will be good. It has been a tough period for four months now. Our Christmas period is four months already. We play every three days. It will be nice to have five days and then almost a week before Newcastle to get a little bit of recovery."

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