Kevin De Bruyne has basically just confirmed football’s worst-kept secret

Whether it happens in January or at the end of the season, Alexis Sanchez appears certain to become a Manchester City player.

The Arsenal forward rejected the offer of a new contract to remain at the Emirates last season, and his current deal expires in the summer. It seems extremely unlikely that Sanchez will agree a new deal with the club. He can walk away on a free transfer at the end of the season, and it sounds as though many of his teammates wouldn't miss the Chilean forward. Reports have emerged of tension between the player and his Arsenal teammates, and some reportedly feel he has a "bad attitude." At times this season, Sanchez has given the impression that he would rather be anywhere else other than playing for the Gunners, and he almost completed a transfer deadline day move to City last summer. However, as Arsenal couldn't secure a deal for Thomas Lemar from Monaco, negotiations broke down and Sanchez remained in north London. Yet, at this stage, it appears to be a question of "when", rather than "if" he will join City, and Kevin De Bruyne has added weight to the theory that Sanchez is certain to join the Premier League leaders. Following City's victory over Bristol City in the first-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, the Belgian midfielder spoke openly about the possibility of Sanchez joining the club. "(He is) a very good player. Obviously, we will see what happens in this transfer period," De Bruyne said.

"If a good player comes to us that is better, if he doesn't come we do it with the team we have. We are on a good period already - the whole season. Everybody is doing a good job. When he comes he will add something to the team."

That last line suggests that it really is only a matter of time before Sanchez joins City. According to a report in The Guardian, "City have opened talks with Arsenal and have indicated a willingness to pay £20m" for the 29-year-old. Guardiola, who worked with him during their time together at Barcelona, is understood to want reinforcements in the forward positions. Gabriel Jesus is out of action for the next two months, after he suffered a medial collateral ligament injury. Whether Arsenal allow Sanchez to leave this month remains to be seen, but it seems extremely likely that Sanchez will be a City player by this time next season.