Former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has said that Alexis Sanchez could well have been a Citizens player if it were not for Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions imposed on the club.
The Chilean star joined Arsenal from Barcelona in 2014, with the Gunners fighting off interest from Liverpool to sign the forward.
Pellegrini has now revealed that City were also interested in signing Sanchez, but having been slapped with FFP sanctions that included a £16.3 million fine, a £49m spending cap, and a reduction in the size of their Champions League squad, they were not in a position to bid for him.
"He was one of the best in the world and he showed it every day," Pellegrini told Chilean radio station ADN. "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 a number of years."
Sanchez has thrived in north London, scoring 65 goals in 116 matches for the Gunners.
The 27-year-old, whose current contract expires in 18 months, is currently in discussions with the Emirates outfit regarding a bumper new deal.