Arsenal transfer news: Pep does not rule out Sanchez bid, Zaha staying put and more - 2nd January 2018

Pep Guardiola talks about Sanchez's situation

The wantaway Gunner is in the final year of his contract and is now free to negotiate a pre-contract with foreign clubs. However, his first-choice destination appears to be Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, whom he almost joined in the summer.

Now, the City boss was asked whether they will make a bid for the Chilean in the upcoming January transfer window and he said:

“I don’t know. He is a player for Arsenal and I think he is going to stay there. We will have internal meetings and see what is for the best, but he is an Arsenal player and I think he will be (once the window closes).”

Guardiola does not directly deny interest in the 29-year old hinting at a possible bid, especially with Gabriel Jesus out injured for a couple of months leaving Sergio Aguero as the only senior striker. Meanwhile, Wenger continues to be asked the same question regarding Sanchez's future in almost every press conference and he replied after the 1-1 draw at West Brom saying:

“I have spoken many times about that, I’m not ready to talk about that some more. I have given you my answer many times, I don’t see why I should come back on a subject we have talked about 155 times.”

The January transfer window is finally open and the Gunners faithful will be hoping for a resolution soon enough.

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Wilfried Zaha not leaving Crystal Palace in January

Zaha (right) is set to stay at Selhurst Park until the summer at the minimum

The 25-year old is the lynchpin of the relegation-threatened side and has been in sensational form since more than a year. His performances have caught the attention of the top English clubs with many touting him as the best attacker outside the top six.

Arsenal are reportedly the front-runners for the player's signature with Wenger looking to replace the departing Sanchez.

However, Zaha looks to have shattered the Gunners hopes when he was asked regarding a January move after another top display against league leaders Manchester City, where he won a late penalty. On being asked whether he will be at the club until the end of the season, he told BBC:

"Yep, I am."

The short yet definitive answer would only imply that he will consider a move in the summer, which was reiterated by his manager, Roy Hodgson, few days back who said:

"It's a great credit to the club and Zaha that if there are rumours circulating that there are so called bigger clubs looking at him and maybe thinking of making a bid, we should be pleased about that because it means he's playing well."

Thus, Wenger has to look elsewhere if he is looking to add a quality attacker in January.

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Jack Wilshere drops the biggest hint yet on extending contract

Wilshere is likely to sign a new contract

The 25-year old was looking to leave his boyhood club in this transfer window due to a multitude of reasons. His struggle to stay fit pushed him out of the first-team and a failed loan spell at Bournemouth in the previous season did not help the situation.

When he returned to Arsenal in the summer, his appearances were limited to cup competitions and the reduced playing time led to missing out on Gareth Southgate's England squad.

Thus, Wilshere was looking to move elsewhere if the situation does not improve and his hard work finally got rewarded as he stepped in for the injured Aaron Ramsey in recent weeks to play in the Premier League.

This led to both Wenger and the player mentioning contract talks are on the horizon and now the Englishman dropped the biggest hint yet of staying at the Emirates on Instagram.

Wilshere wrote:

"So this time about a year ago, I was a Bournemouth player sitting in the stands at the Vitality watching AFCB v AFC wondering if I would ever play for Arsenal in the Premier League ever again. After another setback, I never stopped dreaming and believing. If 2017 has taught me anything it would be NEVER GIVE UP!!! Love playing for this club and long may it continue. Looking forward to 2018 ❤⚽️❤"

His passion for the club is evident and looks like, he is set to extend his expiring contract in the coming weeks.