Manchester City missed out on Arsenal's Alexis Sánchez because of FFP punishment, says Manuel Pellegrini
Former City manager reveals he wanted to sign his fellow Chilean before he moved to Arsenal in 2014 but was prevented from doing so because of FFP regulations
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Manchester City were prevented from signing Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez by Financial Fair Play punishment, according to Manuel Pellegrini.
The former City manager revealed he wanted to sign his fellow Chilean before Sanchez joined Arsenal for £35m in 2014.
But he claims he was prevented from doing so by FFP regulations.
“He was one of the best in the world and showed it every day,” Pellegrini told Chilean radio station AND. “He was a major player we wanted to take to City.
“We could not take him before he signed for Arsenal – it was because the club was punished for Financial Fair Play. I did not have the space in the squad for him.
“Alexis is a complete winner and hopefully he will remain a force for years.”
Sanchez is inspired form for the Gunners, with 14 goals already this season as Arsenal try to win their first Premier League title since 2004.
City were found guilty of breaching FFP guidelines in 2014 and were fined over £16m, which placed limits on their spending and squad size.
Pellegrini was replaced as manager by Pep Guardiola during the summer.
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