Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has refused to confirm or deny whether he will make a fresh approach for Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez in the New Year.

The Chile international was close to joining the Citizens on deadline day, only for a £60m transfer to collapse when the Gunners struggled to find an adequate replacement.

Guardiola has since been tipped to tempt Arsenal into selling their prized asset, who is out of contract in the summer, by tabling another offer when the transfer window reopens in January.

Probed on the speculation linking Sanchez to the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola said: "He's an Arsenal player. His manager had to speak to him. You know the situation - before the transfer window was open, and now it is closed.

"He's an Arsenal player and is so important for them, for his talent that he has, you have to try and control him."

Sanchez, who is expected to start against City on Sunday afternoon, has scored two goals and set up two more in nine appearances for Arsenal this season.