Manchester City have reportedly climbed to the top of the queue for Udinese forward Alexis Sanchez.

The Chilean is widely expected to leave the club this summer, with Barcelona, Manchester City, Juventus and Inter all very interested in his services.

However, even though it was believed that Barcelona were in the driving seat to sign the diminutive forward, Udinese owner Gianpaolo Pozzo reveals that City’s spending power could win them the race.

“The right offer has not yet arrived,” Pozzo was quoted as saying. “Alexis is a player everybody wants, but he is also a player with a specific price. It is not easy for anyone to buy him.

“And if he and his agent are intelligent people, they will know that firstly we cannot give him away, and secondly if people are not prepared to give him the right consideration, it is better to stay in Udinese than to risk getting burned out or seeing his reputation suffer.

“Internazionale, Juventus, Barcelona and City are all interested but concrete offers, for his real value, have not arrived.

“I think it is 50-50 that he will stay here, but if he does go I would say that the likelihood is to City, because English football is the richest and knows how to evaluate its talent.

“Inter? There has only been a request to talk, but we have not spoken in any definitive form. These things are not done until the last minute, though.”

Manchester City owners look determined to build a side capable of challenging for honours next season, and the interesting thing is that the Citizens are now third favourites for the Premiership title, being priced at 4.50 (7/2) with Sportingbet.